Florida man gives back to essential workers in Hillsborough County

(WSVN) – One Florida man tapped into the Christmas spirit by showing his appreciation to essential workers.

Patrick Rhodes is a giver of the extraordinary kind.

“I have two jobs and I’m able to squeeze in time to give back,” said Rhodes. “I think we can all set aside an hour or so to reach back to our community.”

Two years ago when the pandemic hit, Rhodes decided he wanted to do something for essential workers in Hillsborough County.

He bought pizzas and delivered them on his lunch break; he gave away 600 pies.

“My passion is giving back and just getting out and talking to the people in the community, telling them how much I appreciate what they do and what they bring to the community. You know, makes me smile, makes me happy,” said Rhodes.

The effort was so important to him that he started the Lunch for Heroes campaign.

This year, Rhodes provided meals for staff in Hillsborough County schools.

“I just see it as waking up each day as an opportunity to give back,” he said. “I know it’s an opportunity to bring a smile to somebody, you know. So that’s how I see it, you know?”

On this day, it’s a special delivery for those at Tampa Bay Elementary.

“When he comes out like that to give us breakfast, so like we’re just like, ‘Wow, thank you,’” said Christina Paz. “You know, we appreciate that. We’re being seen, we’re being considered and we’re being appreciated. And it means a lot.”

For Rhodes, it’s just the right thing to do.

“I just always, you know, start my day off thinking about how I can help. You know, either someone in my family or someone in my community,” he said.

Rhodes gets his meals from donations from local businesses, and he is working on starting his own foundation.

To find out more about his mission, click here.

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