Tampa Bay Rays Host Thanksgiving Takeover at Feeding Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay Rays recently demonstrated their commitment to the community by hosting a Thanksgiving Takeover at Feeding Tampa Bay's Causeway Center.

On November 19, nearly 40 Rays staff members volunteered at the 215,000-square-foot facility, assisting in distributing Thanksgiving dinners and hot meals to over 500 individuals.

This event marked the first full-scale sponsorship of the food bank, market, and restaurant located at 3624 Causeway Blvd.

Jenn Tran, the team's chief people officer, emphasized the importance of volunteerism, stating, "During the holiday season, we all just want to come together and give back in the most meaningful way possible."

Feeding Tampa Bay, which provided 87 million meals in 2024, anticipates increasing that number to 150 million annually, thanks to the new $60 million facility.

The organization partners with over 400 local charities and food pantries to distribute groceries, addressing the fact that one in four Tampa Bay children experiences food insecurity.

Thomas Mantz, CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay, highlighted the impact of the new facility, noting that it has allowed the nonprofit to "grow our mission dramatically."

He added, "We are able to do what we do because partners like the Rays step in and make that possible."

During the event, the Rays' mascot, Raymond, welcomed community members to the free market and bistro.

Volunteers worked in shifts over nine hours, assisting with grocery selection, packaging, and distribution, as well as serving food and performing various tasks in the bistro.

The bistro offers guests a free hot meal, with options to pay what they can or "pay it forward" to the next diner.

Mantz emphasized the significance of the event, stating, "People really want to have a great Thanksgiving. It's important to sit around a table and enjoy those you love. The Rays are making that possible for a whole lot of families."

The market provides fresh and healthy items, including pet food and personal care products, allowing people to select what they like and have a "dignified shopping experience."

The Rays have partnered with Feeding Tampa Bay for over 20 years.

Tran called the nonprofit the "perfect partner in this space to make sure that our community has what they need to feed their families and take care of their loved ones."

The Rays Baseball Foundation sponsored the Thanksgiving meal giveaway.

Tran noted that the team also offers staff paid time off to serve their communities, whether at their child's school or at a project planned by the community outreach department.

Feeding Tampa Bay is among the local organizations leading efforts to mitigate the effects of food insecurity in the region.

At the Rays Thanksgiving Takeover, Mantz said the Causeway Center has allowed the nonprofit to increase services for previous clients and welcome people "new to our care."

The "terrific" new facility has advanced the "way in which we look after folks significantly."

"It has been inspirational to us as an organization," Mantz said of the center.