Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 9-29-17

Feature
Jameis Winston Supports CDC’s Hurricane Relief Effort
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
Like thousands of other Floridians, Missy Horton was without power for days in her home after Hurricane Irma swept over the state.
Horton also missed a week of work because her job was also without power.
No electricity in her home or at her place of em- ployment proved to be a double whammy for Hor- ton. She lost food and pay.
On Tuesday, Horton stood in line with hundreds of other storm victims in the parking lot of the Corpora- tion to Development Com- munities of Tampa, Inc. to receive a bag packed with potatoes, vegetables, cereal, and meat along with a case of water.
While the ration didn’t replace everything in her re- frigerator, “it helps.”
“Every little bit helps,” Horton said.
Ernest Coney, Presi- dent/CEO of the corpora- tion, said an estimated 600 people received bags of food at the giveaway.
It’s been weeks since the storm ripped through the area causing widespread damage and displacing some people out of their homes. Many have not re- covered fully, prompting the corporation to partner with
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, Jameis Winston, center, is shown with, from left: Allen Barrett, Bucs Commu- nications Manager; Andres Trescastro, Ernest Coney, Jr., President/CEO, CDC of Tampa, Inc.; Chloe Coney, Founder; Beeion Allen, Dr. Samuel L. Wright, Sr. and Kirsten Phillips, producer. Kneeling in front, Adrian Pearson and Antonio Coney
Winston enj0ys seeing the youngsters have fun.
Hundreds were in line to get free food and gift cards from Bucs QB Jameis Winston and Feed America.
Feeding Tampa Bay to pro- vide some relief, Coney said.
In addition to bags of food, the first 400 also re- ceived a $25 gift card from Tampa Bay Buccaneer player, Jameis Winston.
Winston was on hand to talk with residents, sign autographs, and cheerfully pose for pictures with resi- dents.
His presence at the event was meaningful, Coney said.
“It helps us to relay that we’re here as a community
to stand together,” he said. In a press conference, Winston said he felt com- pelled to help his fellow citi-
zens.
“I’m just here to serve the
people,” he said. “Tampa is home.”
Feeding Tampa Bay ex- ecutive director, Thomas Mantz said it could take up to six months for some Hillsborough families af- fected by Irma to bounce back.
The food bank is doing its part to help where those families may need the most
help: replenishing their cup- boards, he said.
“We’re putting a lot of food in people’s pantries,” he said.
Myshayla McKenzie
said she also lost power dur- ing the storm. The giveaway
will go far to help many peo- ple get back to normal, she said.
“It helps because some people are able to buy things and some are not,” she said. (Photos by Frederick Harris)
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017