At The Bautista Project, our mission goes beyond providing food; it’s about connecting, listening, and truly understanding the needs of our community members experiencing homelessness. One of our most impactful initiatives, Snack Paxx, exemplifies this approach by bringing resources, support, and compassion directly to those who need it most.
The Heart of Snack Paxx
Every other Saturday, our dedicated volunteers hit the streets of Tampa, delivering 120 meals through our Snack Paxx program. We don’t just drop off food; we meet with community members one-on-one at bus stops, downtown parks, street corners, and wherever they call home. These face-to-face interactions allow us to learn about their lives and understand their immediate needs—whether that’s clean underwear, a bus pass, help finding a job, or even assistance in reconnecting with a relative who can offer support.
More Than Just a Meal
The Snack Paxx program is about showing up and meeting people where they are, with no judgment and no strings attached. During our visits, we bring more than just meals; we carry a range of essential items including socks, underwear, bras, backpacks, bus passes, extra drinks, jackets, shoes, and sanitary supplies like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo, and feminine pads. These supplies are often the difference between surviving another day on the streets and taking a step towards stability.
Saturdays are our opportunity to fulfill expressed needs in real-time and to plan for the next visit. We hear the stories of hardship and resilience and are reminded each time why this work is so important.
The Need for a Van: Expanding Our Reach
However, our current setup presents a significant challenge. With only a small personal vehicle at our disposal, we are limited in how much we can carry and how many volunteers can join us. Each week, we face difficult decisions about what supplies to bring and how to manage the logistics of transportation. Our vision is to increase our capacity, bringing more meals, more volunteers, and more supplies to those who rely on us.
This is why we need your help.
To continue meeting the needs of our unhoused neighbors and to expand our outreach, we’re seeking support to acquire a van. A van would allow us to transport all 120 meals along with our essential supplies, volunteers, and additional resources, ensuring we can meet immediate needs and better serve the community.
How You Can Help
If you’ve been moved by the stories shared through Snack Paxx or if you believe in the power of meeting people where they are, consider supporting us in acquiring a van. Your contribution, big or small, will directly impact our ability to deliver not just meals, but hope, dignity, and connection to those who need it most.
To make a donation towards our van click [here] or reach out to us directly to discuss. Together, we can drive change and ensure that no one in our community is forgotten.
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