Metropolitan Ministries gears up for the holidays

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa is expecting to serve 18,000 families in need during Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, and they are inviting the community to help.

Metropolitan Ministries' Holiday Tent is an important fixture in the Tampa Bay area community. Food, toys and prayer are offered to those in desperate need. But in order to meet those needs, donations and volunteers are necessary.  

"The line outside of our outreach center was wrapped around the corner the other day and we haven't even started holiday registration yet," noted Karl Celestine, Metropolitan Ministries' Sr. Director of Outreach and Prevention.

"When families come to us, they're desperate. They've often exhausted all other avenues of help. We've promised them we would not let them down, especially at the holidays. How can we be so sure? It's the generosity of this compassionate community," said Tim Marks, the Ministries' President/CEO. 

Visit metromin.org/holiday-central for more information on how to get involved, or if you need help.