Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent

Thanksgiving donations desperately needed in Tampa Bay

By Last Updated

The Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent in Tampa will officially open and begin accepting donations for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays on October 29. Once again, they need more help than ever, especially in the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton.

This year, the non-profit which serves our six county region, expects to assist more than 30,000 families. Supply chain issues are contributing to a shortage of much needed items for the holidays.

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Metropolitan Ministries has bulk purchased many food items for families, however they need the community’s help to fill in the gaps.

The most needed food items include:

  • frozen turkeys and hams
  • canned yams
  • stuffing
  • canned vegetables
  • boxed potatoes
  • cranberry sauce
  • gravy
  • cereal
  • rice
  • beans
  • macaroni and cheese
  • dessert mixes
  • gift cards
  • toys/gifts for children ages 4-17

Each family that receives help from Metropolitan Ministries is given a Box of Hope–with enough food for a holiday meal for each person in their family. It’s roughly the equivalent of 60 semi-truck trailers of food or more than 1 million pounds of food.

That’s a lot of food and why they’re reaching out to the community to help fulfill the need.

If you have some time these next few weeks, take the kids along for a shopping trip and let them pick out these desperately needed items. You can drop them off at the following Holiday Tent locations:

Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent Main Hub-Hillsborough
2609 N. Rome Ave.
Tampa, FL 33607

Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent-West Pasco
Generations Christian Church
1540 Little Road
Trinity, FL 34655

Other donation drop-off sites:

Westchase Elementary – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 ONLY from 1 pm-3 pm
9517 W. Linebaugh Ave.
Tampa, FL 33626

Metropolitan Ministries Drop Off Site
2101 N. Florida Ave
Tampa, FL 33602

Pasco Drop Off
32016 US-19
Holiday, FL 34691

*If you’d prefer to shop online, you can do so here to help.

There is also a need for your time as a volunteer at the Holiday Tents and in distribution locations throughout Tampa Bay. Kids as young as 8 years old can volunteer with their parents in the Holiday Tent, so this is a great way to teach your kids the importance of giving back. Learn more here.

Learn more about how you can donate by visiting www.metromin.org.

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