Feeding Tampa Bay opens its doors for free Christmas Eve meal

TAMPA, Fla.(WFLA) — Feeding Tampa Bay is offering a free Christmas Eve lunch to help families facing food insecurity as the holiday approaches.

The nonprofit will open its doors at the Causeway Center for a complimentary midday meal on Christmas Eve. In addition to a hot lunch, guests will receive food to take home, with the goal of easing financial pressure during the holiday.

“So Christmas Eve, we’ll have a brunch here,” said Feeding Tampa Bay CEO Thomas Mantz. “We’re serving chicken parm and a lot of the sides with that. It’s going to be a terrific meal, and its goal is simple: bring people around a table who may not be able to put together a Christmas Eve dinner.”

Organizers say the event is part of a broader effort to support households as costs and needs tend to rise during the holidays. Guests are encouraged to make a reservation online at ftb.org/ChristmasEve to help staff plan, though reservations are not required.

“If you forget to do that, still come join us,” said Mantz. “But if you let our chef team know you’re going to show up, it helps all of us.”

This marks the first Christmas Eve meal hosted at the Causeway Center. Feeding Tampa Bay previously held a Thanksgiving meal at the site and expects a strong turnout based on that response.

“We had entire families come in, sit down and have a meal together. It’s a reminder that everything good in life happens around the table, the people you’re with and the food that you have,” said Mantz.

Feeding Tampa Bay leaders say the Causeway Center has become a hub for community support, exceeding their original hopes. The nonprofit is also seeking donations and volunteers, particularly during the holiday season.

Visit Feeding Tampa Bay for more information.