When the first tropical wave of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season rolls off the coast of Africa, most of Tampa will check an app, glance at the cone, and go on with the day. But for the homebound seniors and individuals on our delivery routes, every June brings a different question:
If a storm comes, will I be okay?
For nearly 20 years, our answer has been the same:
You will not face the storm alone.
A Tradition That Starts Every June
Each June, in place of our monthly Produce On Wheels delivery, our volunteers carry something different to every doorstep on their route: a Hurricane Preparedness Pack. Inside is a thoughtfully assembled collection of shelf-stable food, water, and shelter information.
Meals On Wheels of Tampa has been doing this since 2007. Long before “preparedness” became a buzzword on the morning news, our drivers were knocking on doors, making sure that the people most likely to need extra support in an emergency were the most likely to be ready.
What Helene and Milton Taught Us
The 2024 hurricane season changed Tampa. Helene’s storm surge and Milton’s wind and flooding hit our community in ways we are still recovering from. For our recipients, many of whom live alone, rely on medical equipment, or cannot drive, the storms exposed a hard truth: a homebound senior without a plan is a homebound senior in danger.
We learned that a Hurricane Preparedness Pack is more than supplies. They are vital and help provide peace of mind in case a normal meal delivery cannot be made due to a storm.
Forecasters are calling for a near- to slightly-below-average 2026 season as El Niño develops in the Pacific. We’ve heard “below average” before. As any Floridian who has lived through one quiet October that suddenly turned into a sleepless one knows: it only takes one.
A Word From Our CEO
This is CEO Mandy Cloninger’s first hurricane season leading Meals On Wheels of Tampa, after stepping into the role in December 2025 following Steve King’s twenty years of service.
“For our homebound neighbors, a hurricane is not just a weather event. It is days or weeks of isolation, often without power, water, or anyone checking the door. That is why we have delivered Hurricane Preparedness Packs every June for nearly 20 years. After what Tampa went through with Helene and Milton, our community understands more than ever that preparedness is an act of love. As I step into my first hurricane season leading Meals On Wheels of Tampa, I am reminded that our volunteers do not just deliver meals. They deliver the assurance that no one is forgotten when the storm comes.” – Mandy Cloninger, CEO, Meals On Wheels of Tampa
What Is in a Hurricane Preparedness Pack?
Each Hurricane Preparedness Pack includes:
- Five shelf-stable meals
- Water
- Shelter Information
- Emergency resource guides
The packs are not a substitute for evacuation. If a storm requires leaving, we encourage recipients to follow official guidance. The shelter information inside each pack is a resource to help with exactly that, including transportation options for those with medical needs.
The packs are delivered on the third Saturday in June to all recipients on our service, in place of the monthly Produce On Wheels delivery. This program is made possible through the sponsorship of TECO.
“Meals on Wheels of Tampa delivers support that’s especially critical during hurricane season,” said Julie Ward, community investment manager at Tampa Electric. “We’re proud to support their efforts so our most vulnerable neighbors don‘t face storms alone.”
How You Can Help This June
Here is how to be part of it:
Volunteer for a delivery route. June kit delivery is one of our most meaningful volunteer experiences of the year. No special skills required, just a few hours and a willing heart.
Refer a neighbor to our service. If you know a senior or homebound adult in the greater Tampa area who would benefit from daily meals and a wellness check, please reach out. The Hurricane Preparedness Pack is available to all recipients on our service at no additional charge.
Become an Ambassador. If you are between the ages of 21 and 39, our Ambassador program is a way to use your network to advocate for our most vulnerable neighbors year-round.
More Than a Meal. More Than a Kit.
When our volunteers hand over a Hurricane Preparedness Pack this June, they are handing over more than supplies. They are handing over a promise, one this organization has kept since 2007.
Storms will come. Power will go out. Roads will close. But on every route, in every neighborhood, the knock on the door will continue.
Because in Tampa, no one weathers the storm alone.
Meals On Wheels of Tampa has delivered nourishment, friendship, and dignity to homebound neighbors across Greater Tampa since 1975. To learn more, donate, or volunteer, visit mowtampa.org or call (813) 238-8410.
