Photo Credit: Susanne Jutzeler on Pexels
Metropolitan Ministries has joined with the Bullard Family Foundation to provide 50,000 meals and toys through their Holiday Tent over the last two months thanks to donations from the local community in Tampa Bay and has been focused on helping families in need during the holiday season.
A number of partners have joined Metropolitan Ministries to help make this possible along with the local supporters.
Tampa Bay Super Bowl Committee Takes Action
The Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee will present a car donation from Elder Ford of Tampa to a deserving mom currently residing in Metropolitan Ministries residential program in partnership with Metropolitan Ministries and Wheels of Success.
Wheels of Success was incorporated in June 2003 to “help families obtain or continue work by providing them with reliable transportation through a program of car repairs, vehicle replacement, related licensing services, car payments, down payments and car-care classes in both Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties”.
Traciann is a homeless single mom of four daughters who was struggling in motels before finding a home at Metropolitan Ministries to help her get on her feet. The surprise is part of the Super Bowl Host Committee’s Forever 55 program, a social legacy initiative to have a positive impact on the local community.
The pillars of the Forever 55 program are early childhood education, food insecurity, families, health and wellness, sustainability, and systemic justice. The Forever 55 program has a $2 million investment from the NFL and and the Tampa Bay host committee.
The committee will also launch their Stable Families Program on Christmas which will support 20 families who are transitioning from homelessness to self-sufficiency.
Microgrants of $280,000 for nonprofits were announced on December 22nd by the Tampa Bay Host Committee and NFL Vice President of Philanthropy and Executive Director of NFL Foundation, Alexia Gallagher shared, “Facing a pandemic and numerous racial injustices this year, so many people’s lives have been devastatingly impacted and we know how important it is to help those who need it the most at this time, and that’s exactly what these nonprofits are doing in the Tampa area.”
Christmas Day Activities Planned at Metropolitan Ministries For Homeless and At-Risk Families
A special Christmas Day is planned this year that will be different from years past at Metropolitan Ministries to serve the homeless residing in their campus and community. Activities will begin bright and early in the kitchen at 6 a.m.
Chef Luis and a small group will prepare Christmas Day meals to be served to homeless individuals and at-risk families.
The kitchen will serve 6,800 meals during Christmas week including 1,200 pounds of Brown Sugar Baked Ham, 1,600 pounds of Scalloped Potatoes, 80 gallons of Peach Glaze, 1,600 pounds of Peas and Carrots, and 500 assorted pies.
One hundred and eighty-four children and their families living at Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa will wake up to gifts from their wish lists delivered by Williams Automotive Group. McKibbon Hospitality will donate gifts for their parents.
Twenty-five families living at Metropolitan Ministries’ West Pasco campus will receive gifts donated by Parallon, and their children will receive tablets courtesy of Pinnacle Health Group.
From 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Metropolitan Ministries will host Christmas in their courtyard featuring holiday decorations, hot chocolate, socially-distanced games, playground time, and a special visit at 8 a.m. by Florida Aquarium’s penguin ambassadors.
The idea is to have a safe and happy Christmas while also keeping the commitment Metropolitan Ministries offers to families. Food will be served to-go style this year in consideration of COVID-19.
How to Help
Metropolitan Ministries is always seeking volunteers and donations. If you cannot come by, simply spreading the word is always helpful and you can always make a donation if you have the means to support their cause at metromin.org.
Metropolitan Ministries’ main campus is located at 2002 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, FL 33602, and the West Pasco campus is located at 3214 US HWY 19, Holiday, FL 34691.
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