Metro Ministries is still accepting Christmas gifts for the 263 children living on their campuses this holiday.
You can donate through Thursday by dropping off donations to one of their two primary locations:
METRO MINISTRIES - TAMPA
400 West Palm Avenue, Tampa
Accepting donations until 1 pm.
METRO MINISTRIES - PASCO
3214 US Highway 19 N, Holiday
Accepting donations until Noon.
You can also donate online at www.metromin.org
This year's highlights include gift distribution to families and children living at Metropolitan Ministries' Tampa and Holiday campuses. Each present is thoughtfully purchased, wrapped, donated and personally delivered by Wellcare employees for Tampa and the Guilt Family for Holiday. Family activities will round out the rest of Christmas day, with a resident brunch on both campuses and family portraits in Tampa, courtesy of renowned photographer Pepito Valdes.
Just down the road from the Tampa campus, the Metropolitan Ministries holiday tent will be abuzz with activity, as the Ministries reaches out to feed the homeless and families in need of a hot meal. Metropolitan Ministries will also provide food to nine partner sites in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties, starting on Dec. 22 and ending Dec. 29.
For a full schedule of Christmas events at Metropolitan Ministries, please see below:
CHRISTMAS EVE CHAPEL SERVICE
Chapel of Hope Tampa
Sanctuary Holiday
4 p.m. Tampa | 7 p.m. Holiday
2002 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa
3214 US Highway 19 N, Holiday
CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL
MiraclePlace Resident Families Tampa
Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent
370 meals for 105 families with 263 children
5 p.m. 6 p.m. Meal in the Family Grill
2002 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa
3214 US Highway 19 N, Holiday
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25 CHRISTMAS DAY
CHRISTMAS GIFT DELIVERY AND OPENING
MiraclePlace Resident Families Tampa
Miracles for Pasco Resident Families Holiday
Gifts for 105 families with 263 children
5:30 a.m. Gifts Delivered
7 a.m. 9 a.m. Opening Gifts
2002 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa
3214 US Highway 19 N, Holiday
Other Metro Ministries activities happening this holiday:
FAMILY PORTRAITS
Family Photographs (service donated by Pepito Masterpiece Portraits)
8 a.m. 3 p.m.
2002 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa only
RESIDENT CHRISTMAS BRUNCH
MiraclePlace Resident Families - Tampa
Miracles for Pasco Resident Families - Holiday
370 meals for 105 families with 263 children
9:30 a.m. Noon
2002 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa
3214 US Highway 19 N, Holiday
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND MEAL FOR HOMELESS AND NEEDY SINGLES / FAMILIES
Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent
10:30 a.m. Service
11 a.m. 1 p.m. Meal
400 W. Palm Avenue
WHAT'S COOKING IN THE KITCHEN?
1,840 total meals on and off our main campus
450 lbs. of Ham
500 lbs. of Sweet Potato Mash
40 gallons Pineapple Orange Glaze
500 lbs. Vegetable Medley
200 pies / cakes
6 a.m. 9 a.m. prep
2002 Florida Avenue, Tampa
COMMUNITY MEAL DISTRIBUTION
Meals for partner feeding site locations throughout Tampa Bay
Pick-ups beginning at 10 a.m.
2002 Florida Avenue, Tampa
HILLSBOROUGH
Mt. Olive Baptist Church | 604 W. Ball St. | Plant City
Dec. 24 | Noon
Ministerio Voces Angelicales | 301 N Dort St | Plant City
Dec. 25 | Noon in the Winter Visitor Center
First Presbyterian Church | 412 E Zack St | Tampa
Dec. 25 | 9 a.m.
Faith Café | 1340 N Clearview Ave | Tampa
Dec. 25 | 11:30 a.m.
First Baptist Church of College Hill | 3838 N 29th St | Tampa
Dec. 25 | Noon
PINELLAS
Pinellas Safe Harbor | 14840 49th St. N. | Clearwater
Dec. 25 | 5 p.m.
Safe Harbor is an emergency homeless shelter and a jail diversion program designed to be a safe haven for those currently homeless and who require services to get back on their feet. Capacity is 450 people, single men and women. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office manages Safe Harbor, while Metro supplies the meals.
PASCO
Dec. 25 | Refuge Church | 3565 Universal Plaza | Holiday
Noon
First Baptist Church Dade City | 13853 15th St. | Dade City
Dec. 27 | 1:00 p.m.
One Community Now | 2329 Anclote Blvd | Holiday
Dec. 22 and Dec. 29 | 5 p.m. 7 p.m.
About Metropolitan Ministries: www.metromin.org