Mantz and Marks are both leaders of two non-profits that helped the Tampa Bay community during the pandemic. Under the leadership of Thomas Mantz, Feeding Tampa Bay has been delivering two million meals every week across the 10 counties surrounding the Tampa Bay Area. More than one million Tampa Bay Area residents faced food insecurity during the COVID-10 pandemic and under Mantz's leadership, Feeding Tampa Bay stepped up to the plate to help those in need.
Led by Tim Marks, Metropolitan Ministries has provided more than $4 million in relief including serving more than 50,000 families at its holiday tents, which totals more than four times last year. Metropolitan ministries set up distribution tents across Tampa Bay for families in need to pick up food for the holidays. Marks and Metropolitan Ministries have been a shining light in the Tampa Bay community during these difficult times.
Mantz and Marks become the 411th and 412th Lightning Community Hero since Jeff and Penny Vinik introduced the Lightning Community Hero program in 2011-12 with a $10 million, five-season commitment to the Tampa Bay community. Through this evening's game, in total, the Lightning Foundation has granted $21.55 million to more than 750 different nonprofits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. During the summer of 2016, the Vinik's announced that the community hero program will give away another $10 million over the next five seasons.
