TAMPA, Fla. — Metropolitan Ministries is expecting the biggest challenge the nonprofit has faced in its 48-year history as it prepares to serve as many as 40,000 families this holiday season — the most it's ever served.
Metro has expanded its reach to six counties through collaborative partnerships in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, and, new this year, Manatee and Hernando.
Registration to receive assistance will be fully online this year starting October 28. The tent opens for donations on November 2.
Get more information on the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent
This year, donations are still needed to help support their 2020 Holiday Tent.
Most needed items include:
- FOOD: Turkeys, Hams, Cereal, Canned Yams, Bagged or Canned Beans, Bagged or Boxed Stuffing, Bags of Rice, Boxed or Canned Potatoes, Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, Dessert Mixes, Peanut Butter, Canned Vegetables, Canned Fruit, Boxed Macaroni & Cheese, Packaged Cookies and Pastries.
- TOYS:
- Ages 0-2: Preschool Play Sets, Character Toys, Building Blocks, Baby Dolls, Learning Toys/Puzzles
- Ages 3-12: Remote Control Cars, Electronic Games, Fashion & Baby Dolls, Legos & Lego Sets
- Ages 13-17: Jewelry, Purses, Makeup, Hair Accessories, Cologne/Perfume, Footballs, Basketballs or Soccer Balls, Sports Clothing & Hats
- Other Gift Ideas: Bicycles/Tricycles, Scooters, Skateboards, Pre-Paid Cell Phones
- Gift Cards: Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Apple, iTunes, Claire’s, GameStop, Foot Locker, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Bass Pro Shops, Amazon
Main Tent Locations:
Tampa: 2609 N Rome Ave.,Tampa, FL 33607
Metropolitan Ministries Pasco Campus: 3214 US Hwy 19 N., Holiday, FL 34691
Restored Hope –Dade City East Pasco 13703 17thSt., Dade City, FL 33525
Multiple donation drop-off locations are listed at www.metromin.org/holiday-central
Ways to Help:
- Donations online: www.metromin.org
- Donations by phone: (813) 209-1218
- Donations by mail: 2002 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33602
- Shop at virtual store: www.metromin.org/catalog
- Conduct a traditional donation drive
- Host a virtual donation
- Drive-through You Give Goods
- Participate in a virtual donation drive
- Amazon and other auto-ship deliveries accepted
- Facebook Fundraisers
- Donate through Amazon Smile
- Sign up now to volunteer: www.metromin.org/volunteer
- Donations may be dropped off/shipped to the tent locations
Need Help?
NEW due to COVID-19: Registration for Holiday Assistance will be through an online form this year beginning October 28 (traditionally registration takes place in person)
