Amazing things can happen when we share. Whether it’s sharing time, sharing donations, sharing groceries, even sharing a photo. And when we choose to share with Metro Ministries this holiday season, we’re choosing to support the many existing needs in communities across Tampa Bay and bring hope to families and children for the holidays.

OUR GOAL

Above all, our witness will be to the power of love in healing broken lives and building strong, caring communities.

  • Share Hope and serve 33,000 struggling Tampa Bay families this Holiday Season.
  • Provide 30,000 children with food, toys, and love.
  • Engage our community in understanding and caring for those struggling to make ends meet or experiencing homelessness, especially during the Holiday Season.
  • We believe strongly in collaborative partnerships and a “stronger together” mindset. It takes literally thousands of helping hands, advocates, and influencers to make the Holiday Tent happen.

WHY THE HOLIDAY TENT?

Despite the thriving economic growth in Tampa Bay, the holidays are extremely difficult on families suffering in poverty and homelessness. Thousands of families seek help from Metropolitan Ministries all year long, and many would not have a Thanksgiving or a Christmas without our holiday assistance program. Food, toys, prayer, and other resources are offered to those in desperate need—and give them hope.

The holiday tent creates an opportunity for people from all walks of life, all faiths, all races, different socioeconomic backgrounds—donors, volunteers, partners, civic leaders, corporations, small businesses, congregations, and those in need—to all come together.  It’s a one-of-a-kind place where you will witness the giving and receiving that exemplify a COMMUNITY coming together for the greater good.

THE NEED

What overall needs are Metropolitan Ministries seeing currently?

  • We planned to help 30,000 families this year with Holiday Assistance but added 3,000 additional slots for families struggling because of the hurricanes.
  • We understand many people may not be able to give this year as they are still recovering from the storms which is concerning with such a large amount of need coming to us.
  • If you are able to donate, we need you.
  • Any amount makes a difference.

NEEDS ARE UP

In the wake of back-to-back hurricanes and challenging economic times for many hard-working individuals and families, Metro has experienced at 43% increase in people seeking help with food and a 134% increase in financial assistance provided through our Family Support Centers vs. this same time last year. More than 300 families a month are seeking emergency shelter and one third of those are seniors.

FACTS AND FIGURES

  • 2 main Holiday Tent “hub” locations in Tampa and W Pasco are open in November and December for donation receiving and distribution assistance.
  • 10 “Pop-Up” locations in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties. These serve as one-time distributions in November and December for assistance. No donations accepted at these locations.
  • Over 1.4 million meals provided.
  • More than 367,000 individuals served.
  • 15,000 volunteers serve at the holidays each year – opportunities to serve at all 12 locations.
  • 35 community partners will pick up food and toys and distribute to communities.
  • Annually, volunteers serve over 150,000 hours and save us $4.5 million in labor costs.
  • The main Tampa tent is 32,748 square feet. The size of a football field!
  • The Chapel of Hope in the holiday tent receives thousands of prayer requests and those is crisis are prayed for and comforted by faith partners who volunteer their time.
  • Metropolitan Ministries has been serving families in need since 1972 (52 years). The holiday assistance program began in 1982. The first holiday tent was launched in 1995.
  • This is a $3 million initiative: $2.5M in food/toys and another $500K in infrastructure
  • Most needed items: frozen turkeys and hams, cereal, canned yams, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gift cards for toys and food, gifts for teens ages 13-17.
  • 100,000 people visit the holiday tents each year searching for a purpose and to spread hope, joy, and love in our community.

DONATION DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

See our up-to-date drop-off locations here!

CLIENT DISTRIBUTION

(NOTE: Pop-Ups serve clients only. No donation drop-off)

 

WAYS TO HELP

  • Volunteer as a family, individual, or with a group (church, school, neighborhood, workplace, clubs, sports teams). Students can earn volunteer credit hours.
    • Types of volunteer opportunities in the Holiday Tent include hospitality/greeting and serving snacks for families, helping take food/toys out to a client’s car, donation receiving, food box building, food and toy sorting, stocking the shelves, kids’ zone, and assisting our guests with choosing items.
    • Our volunteers range in age from 8 to 80+. Minimum age is 8 years old. Children 8-13 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
    • We have a high need (600 people) for bilingual English/Spanish speaking volunteers in our Holiday Tents and Pop-Up locations.
    • Opportunities are available year-round on our main campuses, and it’s easy to sign up online for various tasks such preparing and serving meals in our kitchen, sorting clothes and food, stocking shelves, reading stories with children, helping with our Metro Garden, to name few.
  • Drop off food and toys at a location near you.
  • Conduct a donation drive (traditional or virtual).
  • Donate online.
  • Join the Hope Force – Give Monthly.
  • Donate by phone: (813) 209-1218.
  • Donate by mail: 2002 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33602.
  • Shop our virtual store:  metromin.org/holidaystore
  • Share our updates on social media.
  • All the details are at: https://www.metromin.org/holiday-central/

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HOPE

Barbara was a single mother with an infant daughter. Alone and abandoned, she came to the Holiday Tent looking for help with a Thanksgiving food box and a gift. We gave her a turkey with all the sides that make up a special meal and a onesie for her daughter. On her way out, Barbara said, “Thank you. You gave me HOPE.”

This little word plays a big role in our lives. We hear it from our clients time and again—”You gave me hope to go on another day.” Hope can be the difference between giving up and holding on. Hope can be the thing that keeps us going. Hope can be the feeling that helps us believe and work for a better life. HOPE reminds us that this season of pain isn’t forever.

It’s not just about the food, or the toys, or any other commodity.  Hope is the comfort in knowing that somebody cares for and believes in you. And that is what Metropolitan Ministries is all about.