TAMPA, Fla. — Metropolitan Ministries launched its annual holiday food drive on Monday, opening its holiday tent to a dire forecast and urgent call for help.
The charity, which helps provide holiday meals to thousands of people this time of year, says they're seeing record demand even as donations are down sharply.
“I have had a second chance of being successful through the donations and generosity of others,” said Nina Diaz, who now works for Metropolitan Ministries.
But it wasn't long ago that Diaz and her children were the ones on the receiving end of other people's kindness.
Now, she hopes people will find a way, even if things are tight in their own budgets, to help those in need this holiday season.
“Every little thing helps," Diaz said. "Even if you are on the edge of struggling, but you have a can of beans that you can donate, that will make the biggest difference in someone's life, some child's life, a family's life.”
“This holiday season is like no other that I have faced in my 17 years at Metro and Metro’s 51 years,” said the organization’s CEO, Tim Marks.
Marks said it's the earliest they've ever fully booked requests for 30,000 Thanksgiving meals, even as donations are down by a shocking 30%.
That includes a 15% increase in the number of seniors on a fixed income coming to them for help and a 70% increase in people looking for help to stay in their homes and avoid getting evicted.
“The impact of inflation, rising rental, cost, rising food cost has really put a lot of pressure on families this year,” Marks said.
Some well-known names are stepping up to encourage others to give.
WWE Superstar Titus O'Neil, who says his family was once among those in need, announced he was donating $50,000 –enough for another thousand meals.
“I can't ask somebody to give money when I'm not willing to give myself,” O’Neil said.
Even if you can’t donate food or money this year, consider volunteering your time.
Metro Ministries has about half a dozen tents set up at locations throughout Hillsborough and Pasco counties, and with such strong demand, Marks said they could always use help.
This year's food drive continues through Christmas Eve.
“A lot of people don't realize the little things that they give makes such a big impact on other people in their lives,” Diaz said. “It's amazing.”