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Free grocery giveaway in Ruskin
Happening Saturday in Ruskin, Hillsborough County's Healthy Living Program is making sure that folks can get the groceries they need to make ends meet. FOX 13's Heather Healy reports.
RUSKIN, Fla. - Around 800 people came to Southshore Community Resource Center in Ruskin to receive groceries without income restrictions. The event supplied meat, shelf-stable goods, fruits, vegetables, potatoes, rice and other food staples to local residents.
Robert Mirlenbrink, senior wellness program coordinator for Hillsborough County, said workers usually go through the food within an hour to an hour and a half in the county.
Ruskin food distribution, health services
What we know:
Community members accessed free health screenings and vaccinations while learning about services offered through the Healthy Living Program.
Mirlenbrink explained that the program visits underserved areas where high percentages of residents rely on the county health plan.
"You don't know what you don't know, right, some of those silent killers," Mirlenbrink said regarding general medical services.
Partners also shared details about no-cost or low-cost assistance available outside the primary county plan.
Feeding Tampa Bay partnership
The backstory:
Organizers host 16 food pantry events each year alongside volunteers and Feeding Tampa Bay. The event aims to help families secure food while connecting them to mental health support, county assistance and social services.
Mirlenbrink shared a personal connection to the initiative, noting that there was a time when his own family would have benefited from similar help.
"And so, if I can help one person in a day, let them know, help them out finding health care, getting the assistance they need, mental health, whatever it is, food, then it makes my day," Mirlenbrink said.
Plant City event
What's next:
The next event like this will be held next month, Sept. 19, at the Plant City Community Resource Center, starting at 9 a.m.
Event specifics & volunteer information
What you can do:
If you would like more information on next month’s event, click here.
If you would like to volunteer, click here.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from video script quotes and transcript logs provided by Robert Mirlenbrink, senior wellness program coordinator for Hillsborough County, as well as event summaries from the Healthy Living Program and Feeding Tampa Bay.