Holidays Frequently Asked Questions

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.

• Serve 30,000 struggling Tampa Bay families and 60,000 children with food, toys, and love.
• Attract new donors and volunteers + increase engagement with current supporters by positioning Metropolitan Ministries as Tampa Bay’s most effective caregiver for at-risk and homeless families.
• Additionally, 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. Our partnerships with influencers WWE Global Ambassador Thaddeus Bullard, aka Titus O’Neil, and his Bullard Family Foundation and former Major League Baseball great Erestes Destrade will help us reach even more neighborhoods in need as well as those who can help meet the need.

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?

DONATIONS ARE DOWN

** Right now, donations are down by 30% compared to this same time last year **

• We understand why many people cannot give this year as they experience the effects of inflation.
• We are concerned as we know 30,000 families are counting on us to make their holidays possible.
• If you are able to donate, we need you.
• Any amount makes a difference.

NEEDS ARE UP

• 71% increase in the number of families coming to us facing homelessness vs. last year.
• Two-parent working families who cannot keep up with the soaring cost of rent and utilities and facing evictions.
• Single moms fleeing domestic violence and forced to live in their cars with their children.
• 15% increase in seniors on fixed incomes who can no longer afford to make ends meet and skipping meals and medical care to pay rent.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• 2 main Holiday Tent locations and 10 pop-up Tent locations.
• 15,000 volunteers serve in the holiday tents each year – opportunities to serve at all 12 locations.
• 30 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 36,500 square feet – almost 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 (51 years)  The holiday assistance program began in 1982.  The first holiday tent was launched in 1995.
• This is a $2.5 million initiative: $2M 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

Tampa

Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent

2609 N Rome Ave
Tampa, FL 33607

West Pasco

Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent at Generations Christian Church

1540 Little Rd
Trinity, FL 34655

East Pasco

Premier Community HealthCare
*(Temporary location while our Dade City facility is under renovation.)

14108 5th St
Dade City, FL 33525

Northern Hillsborough

St. James UMC

16202 Bruce B Downs Blvd
Tampa, FL 33647

Central Pasco

Keystone Community Church

21010 State Road 54
Lutz, FL 33558

Additional Drop-off Locations

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.