Thomas Mantz has worked at Feeding Tampa Bay for over a decade, but he continues to find new ways to impact the community.
TAMPA, Fla. — Feeding Tampa Bay used to operate solely as a food bank, however staff say the organization has grown into something much broader.
Employees and volunteers now sit down with those in need to help them work through any issues they are facing, whether it is food related, money related or anything else.
“Have individuals come through, have a meal, get some groceries, but then actually sit down with someone that can help them troubleshoot whatever it is that’s happening in their lives,” said Lorena Hardwick, the Chief External Affairs Officer at Feeding Tampa Bay.
In addition to their food bank and community store, the organization now offers job training, medical appointment access and other social services under one roof.
At the center of this shift is Feeding Tampa Bay President and CEO Thomas Mantz.
Mantz started out his career in finance. He says he measures success differently after his career shift.
“There’s an old saying that the first half of a person’s life is about success, the second half of their life is about significance,” Mantz said. “I probably just got to the second half sooner than most.”
Those who work alonside Mantz say his go-getter attitude is contagious.
Kimberly Williams is the Chief Health Officer at Feeding Tampa Bay. She said Mantz approaches leadership as a partnership.
“‘I’m not your boss, I’m your colleague, I’m your friend,'” Williams said, quoting Mantz. “‘We’re doing this together.’”
Mantz says he tries to bring that same approach to the people who come to Feeding Tampa Bay for assistance.
“It’s not just enough for us to say, ‘Here, we gave you food,’” Mantz said. “We can’t do that in good conscience.”
Andy Layton is the Chief Development Officer at Feeding Tampa Bay. Layton said over the six months he’s been with the organization, he sees how Mantz’s philosophy has helped shape the culture there.
“Culture is a huge part of Feeding Tampa Bay,” said Layton. “From the very beginning, Thomas established that that was an important element of what we do here.”
But for Mantz, the mission comes down to how people are treated when they walk through the doors of Feeding Tampa Bay, whether it is a colleague or someone in need.
“Service is a privilege. It really is,” Mantz said. “All of us that do this… we feel grateful to be able to do it.”