SADDLE UP FOR A CAUSE BRINGS IN BUCKS.
The mission of the United Food Bank and Services of Plant City (UFB) is to provide assistance for the needy in moving them from a “state of hunger” and impoverishment to self-sufficiency, empowerment, and self-reliance. The organization’s vision is to stamp out hunger in East Hillsborough County and raise the standard of living for the truly needy. UFB offers opportunities for self -improvement, education, job skills, and enhancing life for individuals and families—all to effect change for the community. To this end, United Food Bank provides food directly to clients in the Plant City area.
Food For All is UFB’s annual fundraising dinner gala. The 2025 theme was Saddle Up For A Cause, and the event took place on February 1st at Plant City’s Big Red Barn. Bill McDaniel, City Manager and UFB Board Member, emceed the evening.
Guests put on their cowboy hats and boots to enjoy the event, with great food catered by Johnson’s BBQ, music by Casey Stidham, and a riding performance by Aniston Ainsworth. This Plant City native qualified for the 2017 World Championship in Cowboy Mounted Shooting. The fare also featured fresh chocolate-covered strawberries donated by the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, tastings of Keel Farms ciders, and whiskey donated by Propagation Whiskey Bar and Kitchen. A variety of local people and businesses donated raffle baskets for guests to try to win. Also, the UFB Board put together a package of gift cards valued at $1,300 for a live drawing. Star Distribution took the role of presenting sponsor. Food For All: Saddle Up For A Cause brought in $90,000 to help end hunger in the community.
