Every Monday night, Beth Ross, founder of the non-profit Blanket Tampa Bay, is helping those who often times, can’t help themselves.
Starting at 7:00, she and her volunteers are waiting in the parking lot of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Downtown Tampa on Nebraska Avenue.
“It’s something that’s just in my heart,” said Ross. “I just love it. I can’t not do it.”
Since 2015, Ross’s organization has helped give away more than 5,000 blankets to those in need in Tampa Bay. Blanket Tampa Bay has become more than just blankets now though, they also hand out toiletry items to those who stop by and even a hot meal.
"Hand warmers in the winter. During the summer when it’s raining we have flip flops and umbrellas and rain gear. You just name it,” said Ross.
People like Mark Beloch say if it wasn’t for Ross, they don’t know what they would do.
"Blessing. One word. That sums it all up. Blessing. They do it because it’s a mission from God. They're doing the Lord's work," said Beloch.
Blanket Tampa Bay does a huge push at Christmas time, hoping to give out more blankets than ever before during the holiday season.
For more information about Blanket Tampa Bay, visit their Facebook page.
