Stick A Fork In It

If you feel like the crises of the world are growing and multiplying lately, you're not alone. Clara Reynolds, President & CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, recognizes how people are struggling with more and more problems, but don't have the tools or support needed to handle them. So what do we do? First, she says, we need to listen. Tune in to hear how her own journey through trauma led to helping others, and how the Crisis Center is changing the typical approach to social services in our community.

Follow @FeedingTampaBay on social media to give or receive help during times of crisis, and help our community build the tools it needs to thrive.

If you want to plan out the future of food relief in America, all you need is a background in fundraising, an infectiously positive attitude, and a cello degree from Northern Illinois University. Or at least, those are the ingredients that have helped Julie Yurko, President and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank, become a celebrated leader in the Feeding America national network. On today's episode Julie teaches us how to learn from the experience of others, how to energize the people we work with, and how to lean into the positive side of life while we do it.

Learn more about the future of food relief by visiting our website at FeedingTampaBay.org, or following our social media @FeedingTampaBay.

What does a "think tank" actually do? Well, in the case of the Urban Institute, they compile tons of research about and testimonials from actual community members, and use that information to improve programs and policies that serve them. Alexis Weaver joins us today to explain how important it is to ensure that the things we think are helping people, are actually helping them. And how social services and governments can learn and grow from this work.

Follow @FeedingTampaBay on social media to learn how you can help us grow from this work, too!

How is it possible that food banks are providing exponentially more meals to the community each year, but food insecurity is still growing all across the country? Brian Greene, President & CEO of Houston Food Bank, explains the problem in eye-opening detail. Tune in to learn how some nonprofits are changing their philosophy and approach to keep more people from slipping through the cracks.

And follow @FeedingTampaBay on social media to see how you can help us do just that.

Our dear friend Yvette Carter, Director of Open Arms Ministry and their food pantry, recently passed. So we're honoring her story and all of the endless love that flowed from her into the community by re-sharing the episode we recorded with her in 2023. If you're looking for some inspiration to lift you out of despair, tune in to hear her story of a journey from homelessness to giving hope to others. And let's keep building the world she envisioned together.

Follow @FeedingTampaBay on social media to learn how you can lean in to help build a stronger community.

The safety and comfort of home is a feeling we can all relate to, and an experience every person deserves. That is why, even as housing prices soar, Habitat for Humanity continues its mission of building prosperous and vibrant communities. Mike Sutton, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside, joins us to explain how affordable housing improves the very fabric of communities, and how the people who need it most are often those caring for us, our families, and our children.

Follow @FeedingTampaBay on social media to learn more about our partners doing amazing work in the community, and how you can get involved.

What is a "community partnership school"? A hub for helping EVERYONE from students, to parents, to teachers themselves! The Children's Home Society of Florida and its community partners are focused on expanding school offerings to include things like medical and dental care, mentoring, parenting classes, and even housing resources.

They understand how hard it can be for children to get a good education when they're hungry or struggling at home, and how hard it can be for many parents to make ends meet. Join us on today's episode to learn how Mary Brown, Senior Director of Community Partnership Schools, sees this model as the future of successful schooling in our state.

Follow @FeedingTampaBay to learn about our other child-centered programs, and how you can help us grow them!

News is changing just as much as the world that it reports on, but is still a fundamental source of information for us and our neighbors. That's why we invited Natalie Taylor (ABC News) and Walter Allen (FOX News) onto the podcast, to talk about what it's like working in broadcast media today — especially as a couple on different sides of the local news fence. Tune in and learn with us!

Follow @FeedingTampaBay on social media to see how we're evolving with the times as well, and how you can get involved.

Do you remember how exciting it was as a kid to get a new jacket or new shoes, and to show them off at school the next day? For over 20 years, Clothes to Kids has been making that feeling possible for children who have often had to go to school without socks, or wearing pants and shirts that don't fit. Jennifer Jacobs, Executive Director of Clothes to Kids, joins us on today's episode to tell us the story of how their journey started, and the joy she's helped bring to children all across Tampa Bay. Visit clothestokids.org to learn more and help them grow their wardrobe!

And follow @FeedingTampaBay on social media to get involved with good people in your community.

In just a couple weeks you can watch our 10th Epic Chef event LIVE on YouTube (streamed by our partners @MORTampa)! Co-host Rachel Bennett returns to the podcast today to talk about what makes Epic Chef so special, and to enlighten us about the culinary scene of Tampa Bay. Tune in to learn more, and if you want to attend this year's Epic Chef event in person, visit FeedingTampaBay.org/EpicChef!

As always, be sure to follow @FeedingTampaBay on social media for more updates.