The $50,000 Lightning Foundation grant will be donated to Meals On Wheels of Tampa.
On November 18, 2023, the Tampa Bay Lightning honored Cindy Vann as the Lightning Community Hero. Cindy received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program, presented by Jabil, for Meals On Wheels of Tampa.
Cindy Vann has been a constant servant leader for Meals On Wheels of Tampa for the past 30 years. Having moved to Tampa as a military spouse with a heart for those in need, she found Meals on Wheel’s mission to be fulfilling community service to engage in with her husband and children.
Cindy started her Meal on Wheels journey as a volunteer, served on the board of directors, and now serves as Director of Mission Engagement, where she oversees the Meals On Wheels of Tampa High School Leadership Board; a program that brings together teens from local high schools of all means to unite on a project to serve homebound neighbors. Additionally, Cindy continues to have a route she delivers to routinely. Not only is she delivering a meal to a homebound individual, but she delivers cheer, check-ins, and compassion.
The funds will be used to continue to further and expand the mission of Meals On Wheels of Tampa. The grant will cover the cost of 30 days of hot, nutritious meals for more than 300 seniors and other homebound individuals in Hillsborough County who may otherwise go without.
Cindy Vann became the 556th 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. Currently, the Lightning Foundation has granted a total of $30.17 million to nearly 750 unique nonprofits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. During the summer of 2021, the Vinik’s announced that the Community Hero program will give away another $10 million over the next five seasons.
