Outreach and Prevention Services

Need Help?

With dignity, integrity, and hope, Outreach will work with you to build trusting relationships so that we can work together to explore the best ways to achieve self-sufficiency by providing knowledge in order to empower; making informed decisions that lead to a better quality life.

Hours of Operation

Food Assistance

An emergency Food Box (Box of Hope) or the Food Shopping experience is an immediate assistance service provided to eligible individuals and families.  Photo ID and SSN cards for all family members are required along with proof of residence.  Food is provided 3 times a year.  Additional request may be honored on a case by case basis, but will require a referral from an outside organization.  Food is distributed according to household size.

Clothing Vouchers

Clothing is also an immediate assistance service provided to individuals and families considered to be homeless and found eligible through the assessment and evaluation process of Outreach and Prevention Services.  Unlike the food box, individuals and/or families that do no have permanent, physical and/or verifiable address, may receive a clothing voucher that they may redeem at the Ministries Thrift Store.

Access Site

The Access Center provides immediate assistance with on-line applications for Food Stamps, Medicaid and Medicare. 

Employment Lab

Gain the skills you need to land the perfect job as you transition back into the workforce.  Our employment lab will give you the opportunity to be trained one-on-one in the following areas: job fairs, interview skills, professionalism, how to dress for success, how to draft a resume and computer access for submitting job applications. 

Special Assistance

This assistance service is provided to individuals as a last resort for assistance with Rent and Utilities.  Funding for this service is limited and based on availability.  Organizations which provide these services are the Neighborhood Services Centers, Family Support Crisis Center and Catholic Charities.  Requirements are: Photo, ID, SSN for applicants + other household members, Residents (current) lease agreement, Past Due or Eviction Notice, Proof of Income, pay check stubs, Worker's Compensation statement, Social Security award letter, food stamps award letter, cash assistance award letter (or combination of applicable documents).  Proof of ownership is required if the rent is paid to a specific person other than an apartment complex.  A financial assessment is conducted on all members of the household to determine the possible amount of assistance.  Turn around time for assistance is 7-14 days.  

Florida State ID's

ID assistance service is provided for individuals who do not have a Florida ID.  This service is only provided on Tuesday mornings for a maximum of the first seven (7) applicants.  The time required to obtain the ID varies depending on what documentation the individual has.  If a birth certificate needs to be applied for then the process is dependant on availability of funds and the requirements of the state that needs to issue the certificate.

Meal-Site Partners

Metropolitan Ministries has partnered with a number of organizations in Hillsborough County, Plant City, South County, Pinellas County and Polk County areas to provide hot, balanced and nutritious meals for those individual and families who do not have a domicile in which to prepare their own meals.  Our partner sites serve meals that are prepared from the heart by Metropolitan Ministries' staff.

Prosperity Campaign- Free Income Tax Services

Through the Hillsborough County Prosperity Campaign, we are now providing Free Tax Services for clients with an income less than $25,000.  This service is provided from February through April. 

Housing
The Uplift U^® Program is designed for families with children and single women and is a long-term residency program which could range anywhere from 6-18 months depending on the individual needs which are determined during the assessment phase of the program. You will be required to go through an intake process where you will meet with one of your capable Counselors or Interns.  

This process will provide you with the necessary information about the program and allow you to make the determination if our program is suited for you and for us to determine if our program is the answer to your needs. There is typicaly a waiting list for the program and we are committed to further assisting you with immediate emergency needs and referrals to other agencies.

Referrals

We cooperate with many other agencies and organization.  If we know of another agency that has a service that we do not provide, then we will give you a referral to that agency. Please remember that a referral is not a guarantee of services.  Each organization has their own requirements and guidelines.

For more information call (813) 209-1200.  The Outreach and Prevention Services Department is located at 2301 North Tampa St. Tampa, FL 33602.