UNIVERSITY AREA — If you took away Ryan Nece’s ability to give to others, you’d wipe out what he believes is one of his primary purposes in life.

That was the sentiment expressed by his wife, Mandy Ryan, as she stood among the hundreds of people being served a sit-down Power of Thanksgiving dinner, compliments of the Ryan Nece Foundation he founded in 2009, that has since fed close to 5,400 residents living in the low-income neighborhoods near the University of South Florida.

The pre-Thanksgiving day affair at the University Area Community Center also featured entertainment by the Phase 5 Band, family photos courtesy of Shutterbooth, and a take-home box of food items from the Feeding America Tampa Bay mobile pantry — also the brainchild of Ryan Nece, a former linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I’m proud to call him my husband and it’s pretty amazing to see what he is giving to everyone here tonight,” Mandy Ryan said. “You just never know when it could be your family in need.”

The event also drew Buccaneers defensive tackle Clinton McDonald, Miss Florida 2015 MaryKatherine Fechtel and close to 150 volunteers mainly consisting of high school students from throughout Hillsborough County who served the guests at their tables.

“I wish there were words to describe the joy I feel in my soul when I see the energy here tonight,” Ryan Nece said as he modestly strolled throughout the room chatting with various diners and posing for photos.

“It’s a team effort. We all make it happen and I think we are teaching our students ways to serve others and to be selfless.” Plant City High School senior Alayhia Watson was among the servers. “It’s a really heartwarming thing and I’m glad to be part of it,” she said. Amy Hyden, 15, a student in King High School’s IB program also came to help serve.

“It’s my favorite volunteer opportunity,” Hayden said. “It’s really nice helping people and it puts things into perspective.”

Fellow King High IB program classmate and server Viviana Cao said she was very much looking forward to the evening. “I didn’t know there were that many people in this community who can’t afford food,” she said. “I’m happy to help out.”

Marisel Ortiz, who was there with her three children, was thrilled to be able to enjoy the dinner with her family plus have the opportunity to take a photo of them with none other than host Ryan Nece.

“I think he has such a huge big heart and it’s a blessing what he is doing, especially at Thanksgiving,” Ortiz said.

Semiat Daramola learned about the dinner by way of her 4-year-old daughter Sofiat Daramola, who attends the Head Start program for pre-school age children at the University Area Community Center.

When told she could be a guest, she invited her friend Christianah Adaramaja and her 3-month-old baby Michael Apata.

“It’s very nice and it’s really thoughtful of Ryan Nece to put this all together,” she said.

Bucs player McDonald, whose right arm was in a sling due to a shoulder injury, also was delighted to be present and interact with those in attendance.

“People define us by what we do as athletes, but some of us also like to define ourselves by what we do off the football field,” he said.

The Ryan Nece Foundation’s Thanksgiving dinner, he noted, speaks volumes about the person he is. “Hundreds of people are getting fed and they’ve also got meals to take home,” McDonald said. “That’s very admirable of him.”