Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent family volunteers

How Your Family Can Give the Gift of HOPE at the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent

By https://muckrack.com/laura-byrne-6
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If you want your kids to experience the magic of giving back this holiday season, add a visit to the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent to your list. There are few places in Tampa Bay where you can witness the power of giving in real time. From the moment donations arrive at the Holiday Tent, volunteers immediately get to work sorting and stocking shelves in a store-like setting where families can then fill their shopping carts and hearts with hope.

This year, many of the 30,000 families who will be served at the Holiday Tent are working families. Some may even be people who usually give during this time of year, but are now struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living soars. This is where the community comes in.

While the Metropolitan Ministries team is a powerhouse, the miracles that happen in the tent can’t happen without the help of families like yours. Whether it’s through your gift of time, treasures, or talent… it all makes a difference.

The Need at Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent in 2026

In order to serve 30,000 families in the Tampa Bay area this holiday season, Metropolitan Ministries needs:

  • One million pounds of food
  • 60,000 toys 
  • 15,000 volunteers
  • 800 donation drives
Family volunteering with Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent.
Kids as young as 8 may volunteer with their families in the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent. Photo by Laura Byrne.

How Your Family Can Help Support the Holiday Tent

  • Host a Donation Drive: Drives are down this year, so if you are able, host a donation barrel at your business or school, or rally your sports team, scout group, or neighborhood to collect food and/or toys. Metropolitan Ministries will drop off and pick up the barrels.
  • Donate at the Holiday Tents: Each of the four Holiday Tent locations has a drive-through lane, making it super easy to drop off donations. Volunteers will be on hand to help gather your items, so you don’t even need to get out of the car. (But might want to peek inside the tent and maybe get inspired to volunteer!)
  • Give the Gift of Your Time and Volunteer: Kids as young as 8 can volunteer with their families in the Holiday Tent, and those who are 14 and older can volunteer on their own. Jobs include collecting donations from the drive-thru donor lane, sorting items, helping families shop, and more. This is also a wonderful team-building opportunity for your office or group.
  • Give the Gift of Your Treasure: If you are not able to volunteer, even a small donation can go a long way. Metropolitan Ministries can buy in bulk and stretch your dollars even further. For perspective, $20 can provide 10 holiday meals for hungry families.
  • Click on the Holiday Central tab on metromin.org to learn more. Families who need help may also register here.

Did you know…Holiday Tent volunteers give an incredible 156,000 hours of their time. That’s the equivalent of $5.1 million in labor costs!

Most Needed Items

  • Foods: Frozen turkeys and hams, cereal, stuffing, canned yams, canned veggies and fruits, cranberry sauce, rice, boxed potatoes, gravy, peanut butter, soups, and dessert mixes.
  • Toys for children and teens: new, unwrapped gifts like sports equipment/apparel, arts and crafts kits, board games, electronics, and gift cards.

Holiday Tent Locations in 2026

There are four Holiday Tent locations this year, with the flagship tent in Tampa in a NEW location, right in the heart of the Westshore district next to I-275.

  • NEW LOCATION! Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent in Tampa: 4900 W Lemon St., Tampa
  • Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent at Generations Christian Church: 1540 Little Rd., Trinity
  • Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent at East Pasco Campus: 13703 17th St., Dade City
  • Metropolitan Ministries  Holiday Tent at Holy Cross Catholic Church: 7851 54th Ave. N., St. Petersburg

ADDITIONAL DONATION SITE PARTNERS:

  • Keystone Community Church: 21010 State Road 54, Lutz
  • St. James United Methodist Church: 16202 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Tampa 

*Verify hours as they vary by site at metromin.org/holiday-central

Inside the Power of Giving with Dr. Sarah Combs, CEO of Metropolitan Ministries

We recently caught up with Metropolitan Ministries’ president and CEO, Dr. Sarah Combs, who is the third person to lead this organization that has a history spanning more than five decades. She’s been in the job for more than a year now, and as she gets ready to celebrate her second year with the Holiday Tent, we’re learning more about her commitment to serving our community, why it’s so important to get our kids involved in community service early, and the history of the tent.

First of all, we want to know a little bit more about YOU! You have another big job…mom!

Dr. Sarah Combs: Absolutely. I’m a mom to identical twin boys who are 12 years old, just entering sixth grade at Family of Christ. And then my daughter is a freshman at Tampa Catholic. So those are kind of big years for us. Entering middle school, entering high school, and then Mommy got a new job. It’s a lot happening.

Tell us about your journey to Metropolitan Ministries.

SC: I’ve been doing work in the Tampa Bay community for over 25 years and always have been called to help those who need it, who didn’t have a voice that needed representation. That’s kind of where I felt God has been really pushing me and calling me. When my husband and I moved from Colorado, we moved to Tampa, and I started running an organization called Best Buddies —which helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities —and ran their office in South Tampa for about six years. 

And then I learned about this community that was in such need. It had some of the highest crime statistics; unemployment and housing statistics were really bad. And they said it’s by the University of South Florida. I live in New Tampa, so I couldn’t figure out where this pocket of poverty existed. So I came out there just to learn about this university area community, not necessarily thinking that I was going to switch jobs. But I tell you what, I fell in love with that community. I saw the need; the need was great. But boy, did I see that opportunity to be able to create change, real change in that community. And that was with the University Area Community Development Corporation.  

I was there for 15 years, and we did incredible work. We built a beautiful park. We built housing infrastructure. We focused on youth and children, education, and workforce. A lot of the programs and services that Metropolitan Ministries offers, we did those same programs and services. So when I was able to be hired on with Metro Min, it just felt like home. And to be able to have greater reach and impact was what I was so excited about.

Now I’m a little over a year in and feel like I’m finally getting my grounding, my footing, which is a nice feeling. 

What is it like to be a part of Metropolitan Ministries’ story?

SC: When I started with Metro, I said, “How many times has the mission statement changed?” The organization is almost 55 years old. So I wanted to know how many times we changed our mission. It’s never been changed. I think that’s what’s so special about Metropolitan Ministries.

And the way it was formed is just a kind of a magical story in itself. 13 congregations of all denominations got together, and they talked about how there was a need to serve the homeless and the poor. And they determined that they needed to create an organization that focused solely on that.

And so, being able to see how Metro was birthed and that rich history, and then learning about Morris Hintzman, who is the founder, and his incredible work for 40 years, and then after that, Tim Marks, who served for 20 years. And then me– being the third president, right? The third.

And being a woman, that’s important. You know, that history is important. And so, I just think about how Metropolitan Ministries is really the community’s. It was birthed by the community. It’s been supported by the community. And I don’t take that lightly. I know that’s really important. And being the third president and CEO is quite an honor.

Let’s go back to the beginning of it all. Tell us a little bit more about the origin of the Holiday Tent and why it isn’t in a warehouse somewhere?

SC: What I thought was so cool about the history of the tent was Morris Hintzman—and they all saw the need. They were serving individuals through the soup kitchen, and during the holidays, it got almost overwhelming. They couldn’t feed enough people because the house they were in was so small. 

And so, they said, “What are we going to do about this? We don’t have enough time to build a facility to be able to do this.” So they said, “You know what, we’re throwing up a tent, meeting the needs right where they are. We’re responding to the needs of the community in that moment.” So that kind of grassroots -we respond to the needs of the community right away- is something that is so remarkable.

And then every year, no one knows where the [Tampa] tent’s going to be. And that drives me crazy, to be honest. Hopefully in the future, maybe we’ll buy some land so we know where we’re going to be next year. But I just think that how it all comes together is nothing short of a miracle.

And I think it’s all about how it was founded and the intent it was founded on, and that’s why the community somehow, some way, always rises to the occasion. We’re always able to serve the families, so I just think it’s pretty remarkable.

Fun Fact: The first holiday tent was launched in 1995, but the holiday services program dates back to 1982.

This will be your second year at the Holiday Tent, right? 

SC: It will.  What’s nice about having been here for a year is that I’ve experienced everything once. And so I think that’s where that foundation is; it’s like you have some footing now. I know what to expect.

And we’re gearing up for an incredible holiday with our four tent locations in three counties. We’re going to be serving 30,000 families. And I tell you what, now it’s needed more than ever. The need is a little bit scary, how rapidly it’s increasing.

What is Metropolitan Ministries struggling with as you open the Holiday Tents to meet those needs?

SC: Our drives are down. What we’re finding, really putting our ears to the ground and talking with the community—those families that are working families that always gave a little extra…the cost of living has increased so dramatically; the pay hasn’t. And so they don’t have extra to give. Our call to action is that we need food drives. If we’re going to serve 30,000 families, we need the community support. 

Anybody who can host a drive, get a barrel out at their workplace, or, you know, we have so many incredible sports teams that our kids are on, have those teams rally around this, teach them about community service, and make sure that we’re able to feed and serve 30,000 families.

Let’s talk a little bit about what goes on inside the Holiday Tent and what makes the experience so special.

SC: When you match a volunteer with a client, it is remarkable to see that connection that’s formed. I have some volunteers who come back and tell me every year how they’ve stayed in touch with individuals they’ve met and have created friendships. It’s so incredible to be able to hear those stories. And most importantly, that’s what community is about. Neighbors helping neighbors.

And, you know, there’s a misnomer—I think people think that the clients that we serve don’t have jobs. And it’s so far from the truth. These are our working families. These are the individuals who are serving you food. These are the individuals who are making our businesses run. And that’s the piece that I think is so important because it truly is neighbors helping neighbors. And you see that in action at the tent. 

Why is it so important for your family and for others to volunteer together?

SC: I would say— I just want to raise really good humans. At the end of the day, that’s my goal. I want my kids to understand how important it is that they know the privilege they have, but also how important it is to help those who have not had that opportunity that they’ve had or the favor, you know?

Whenever you’re able to expose your kids to opportunities like that, it makes them better humans, and it does something to them… I can’t explain what it does—it fills something in them that is hard to describe —and then they understand how important service is, and the idea is that they will keep doing it. And then when they have kids, they’ll be able to pass that on as well.

Let’s be honest…sometimes it’s a struggle to get our kids to try something new, like volunteering. I’ve experienced it as a mom, too. What are some of your words of encouragement?

SC: Sometimes, as parents, we have to drag them, but they’re still getting exposure. And that exposure is so incredibly important. Even when we don’t think they’re getting anything, they do. So I would just encourage parents to keep it up. 

Some of them are excited to do it once they find that connection, but it’s not always there at first. Sometimes you have to give them a nudge and almost make them do it. But I promise once they’ve done it a few times, they start to really understand, and then they want to do it, which is really cool. 

Is there a moment you remember with your own kids when they finally understood the power of giving back?

SC: What I thought was so magical was Christmas morning. So it’s my first year, and I’m doing everything. It’s going to be a tough year, but I’m doing everything. I told my kids around Thanksgiving, “Hey guys, Christmas morning is going to look a little different.” 

And they were like, “What do you mean, Mom?” And I said, “When we wake up, instead of opening presents, we’re going to go to the homeless shelter. And we’re going to deliver presents to all those boys and girls. We’re going to literally knock on their doors and hand them to them.”  

I expected a lot more pushback. I mean, I got a little grumbling. But I expected a lot more pushback. And I honestly expected some pushback from my husband. But he was like, absolutely.

We brought my husband’s parents as well, so the whole family unit—we were there at 7 a.m.  We had it all organized; the gifts were already pre-wrapped, but to be able to see them be like, “okay, this one goes to 203,” and load it up in the cart, knock on the door, and then see the kids so excited…”

One of the things I’ll never forget— I think it was my son Aiden who saw it, as we were waiting for a door—some of them were still asleep— but on the door it said Christmas Wishes. And it said, “I wish for a home.” 

It was one of three wishes, and the first one was “I wish for a home.” I didn’t even see it; my son pointed it out to everyone. I was kind of standing back, watching, and I think he got it in that moment; he understood it, and he’ll take that with him wherever he goes. That is one of those core memories that you’re just not going to forget. 

If we don’t expose our children to opportunities to serve others, I just think it robs them of an opportunity to be a really good human and to understand empathy and all of these things that all the technology in the world can’t offer them. It’s the human element and emotion.

Your work in the nonprofit world has to be so fulfilling. What’s your advice for kids who aspire to make a difference in this world and work with a nonprofit? It seems like the career is AI-proof, given the human element and emotion you mentioned.

SC: If you’re interested in making this world a better place, there’s no better occupation to be in. We do have a lot of nonprofits in the Tampa Bay community, but what is your calling? What do you feel like you’re called to do? I speak to a lot of classrooms and do a lot of the Great American Teach-Ins, and I’m always curious to hear from kids, like, what do they want to be?

And it’s so cool to see, over the years, how some of their responses have changed to be more empathetic and to want to go into occupations where they get to work with people. That has been really cool to hear and see. 

And then for me to be able to stand up there and talk about how important it is that we serve our community and all the different pathways to get there. And to your point about everything being AI, it’s so true in the nonprofit space- working in social services, working with people- that it’s really an occupation that is bulletproof. 

And most importantly, I think if we expose our kids to opportunities for volunteering, they have the empathy that is needed to be able to do really well in those positions.