TAMPA, Fla. (May 6) –Tampa Bay’s new legion of teleworkers can provide up 20,000 meals for the hungry, just for working from home, thanks to a new program by TBARTA’s Commute Tampa Bay.

“TBARTA has long promoted working at home as a commute alternative, it’s one of many ways to relieve traffic congestion and improve transportation for all of us across Tampa Bay,” said Cyndi Raskin, TBARTA’s Director of Commute Tampa Bay. “Now, with safer-at-home mandates forcing many of us to change our routines, we want to do our part to support and encourage telework, while at the same time helping those most in need.”

As part of that support, Commute Tampa Bay is providing a new incentive in May for teleworkers to report each day they work from home, through a program called “Caring Commutes.” Using the free Commute Tampa Bay app for IOS or Android, workers are asked to log each telework day. Collectively, if at least 700 telework days are logged on the app this month, TBARTA will provide 20,000 meals to Feeding Tampa Bay.

“Not only will teleworkers be supporting our neighbors who need help feeding their families during difficult times, they will also start earning points toward rewards that include gift cards, discounts and giveaways, incentives that are year-round. All that, just for doing what they are already doing, working from home.” Raskin said. “It’s free to sign-up and participate, so it’s really a win-win for everyone.”

The free Commute Tampa Bay app offers other benefits, including a ride-matching service for those who want to carpool or vanpool to work, and an Emergency Ride Home program for commuters who use commute alternatives, including transit and biking. But with so many working from home during the COVID-19 emergency, the teleworking alternative has taken center stage.

Teleworkers can download the free app from the TBARTA website on the Commute Tampa Bay page, and start logging their telework the very same day. When they do, they will also start earning points which can be redeemed for rewards, as well as helping “Caring Commutes” toward this month’s 700 trip goal.