14. How Feeding Tampa Bay Acquired 15,000 Donors During Covid-19

Crisis ManagementLeadership

Sep 21

Written By Julie Confer

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Overview

Meet Thomas and Kelley. They believe food binds us. When COVID-19 hit Florida, their nonprofit, Feeding Tampa Bay, went into turbo innovation mode. They're rethinking food delivery and putting mission above ego to join forces with a partner organization to provide both a greater impact and delivering a meal with dignity and respect. It's an excellent case study in what 'to do' to see your mission flourishes during a pandemic. And they've got 15,000 new donors in the last six months to prove it!

“We were already looking at food banking differently prior to the pandemic. It put us in a position to be ready for what was to come.”

— Kelley Sims, Chief Development Officer, Feeding Tampa Bay

The history of Feeding Tampa Bay and Food Banks
The mission of Feeding Tampa Bay
How they acquired 15,000 new donors throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and their strategy behind it
Their north star: what has worked before is not going to work today
Examples of their unique methods and innovative ways they serve their community
Feeding Tampa Bay Rapid Response Campaign: Thomas and Kelley’s top advice for when crisis hits
Utilizing a Task Force to be leaders in conversations
The development of their merge with Trinity Cafe in Tampa Bay
How their innovative spirit inspired partners such as Amazon and Uber Eats to join their mission
Kelley’s One Good Thing: Stand Together
Thomas’s One Good Thing: Everybody Matters

Powerful Quotes:

“We believe it is possible to have a hunger free Tampa Bay.” -Thomas

“We deploy resources to make sure families and individuals don’t fall through a net that nobody wants to see people fall through.” -Thomas

“If your business model does not adapt and evolve, you will get left behind.” -Thomas

“People are looking for answers, and you had a plan for how their money could make an impact.” -Jon

“From a development perspective, our innovation spoke to partners that came along and they wanted to be a part of it.” -Kelley

“Our local stadium asked if they could open up their kitchen so we could have more room, and so they wouldn’t have to lay off their staff.” -Kelley

“This shows that people want to rally around doing good and serving others. We see the gap when a crisis occurs, and the only way we can thrive in these moments is if we come together and fill those gaps.” -Becky

“Food is a binding element. This defines how we look at the work we do. Everyone understands what food means to them and their families." -Thomas

“We understand we are providing a meal, but we are also providing connective tissue to who you are and who you care about.” -Thomas

“We as nonprofits stand in front of great need that would break your heart, and between a generosity that is staggering. We get to step into those moments and try to bring the two together. We give them the opportunity to connect.” -Thomas

Thomas and Kelley’s Top Advice for when crisis hits:

Plan ahead - always think of ways to innovate so you are already prepared when a crisis hits
Speak out early - they immediately reached out to their public officials as COVID-19 hit
Take action immediately - within days they were on the ground telling the community exactly what they needed and how they could take action

Utilizing a Task Force to be leaders in the conversation During times of crisis

Invite anyone and everyone, but predominately public officials, donors, board members, and others involved in your mission
Take a topic each week or month to talk about what is happening in the world and in your local community
Bring in local officials to speak to local needs and issues in the community
Keep your partners active in the conversation