Faith Cafe must raise $200,000 in three months

TAMPA, Fla. - Hundreds have lined up in the same spot on Kennedy in Tampa, Monday through Saturday, for nine and half years. They're waiting for a hot meal at Faith Cafe.

This year, however, they line up beside a "For Sale" sign.

The property owner has decided to develop the land, so Faith Cafe has to move by July.

"We have to remain open. We have to keep this going. There are a lot of people who need this food that we serve," said Jeanette Conley, President of the Faith Cafe's Board of Directors.

One of the people who relies on their services is "Meal 56". He's got another number, though.

"December 1999," Hank Horton said.

That's the last year Horton had a home. Instead of praying at his own dinner table, he prays before his meals at Faith Cafe.

"I don't pray for me. I prayed for me a long time ago and I'm still here," Horton said.

One of his prayers is that Faith Cafe will be able to raise the $200,000 needed for a new facility.

"We serve over 150 meals a day, sometimes it's closer to 180," Conley said. "There's definitely a large need for Faith Cafe to remain in this community."

Conley admits it's overwhelming, but not hopeless.

"We feel like God has totally provided for us and this will all work out just as He's provided for us over the past 9 and a half years," she said.

They're facing the challenge with prayer, just like Horton, whose heaviest prayer feels overwhelming too.

"I've never seen a single one of my grandchildren," he sighed.

But today he's thankful for what he did see -- a hot meal.

"They're very beautiful people," Horton said of the Faith Cafe staff. "I thank God for them daily. I always try to wish them, 'God bless you'."

 For more information on how to help, visit Faith Cafe Tampa's website.