TAMPA, Fla. — Officials with Feeding Tampa Bay say the American Rescue Plan won't just help feed the hungry in Tampa Bay, but it will help keep families out of government social service programs, which long-term could be more expensive for taxpayers than the stimulus package itself.

Aside from direct payments to many Americans, and extension of unemployment benefits and help for local businesses, the government will also increase the amount of food available for non-profit pantries trying to feed those out of work and behind on rent and mortgage payments.

"The past ones have provided financial support so it has helped us financially with some of the work we've done," said Thomas Mantz, CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay.   "We've also seen more food come in from the USDA, which the US government has directed more resources through the USDA down to local communities and we've been able to distribute those food items.  

“And then of course we've seen funds go directly into the homes of folks we serve."

How quickly stimulus money trickles down to city and county governments, then eventually non-profits is not known.

City and county governments will need to take votes on how best to distribute stimulus money available.

In past stimulus plans, that process has taken several weeks from the time the President signed the plans, to the money and food supplies to be "in-hand" of those that need it the most.