Holidays On Wheels Delivers Food And Toys To Families With Kids

Tampa FL

27 October, 2021

3:50 PM

Description

TAMPA BAY, FL — Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger, a tri-county leader in hunger relief, research and program development, will partner again this holiday season with Metropolitan Ministries to fulfill its annual Meals On Wheels for Kids' Holidays On Wheels program. The program will deliver a full holiday meal and toys to 2,000 homebound and transportation-disadvantaged families with children living in Tampa Bay this November and December. TBNEH will use more than 300 volunteers to deliver to households that are homebound and do not have access to a reliable vehicle to get to other Metropolitan Ministries' holiday meal distribution sites. "In Tampa Bay, thousands of kids and their families live in fear of going hungry this holiday season," said Caitlyn Peacock, executive director of TBNEH. "Most of us look forward to enjoying a delicious meal during the holidays, yet many of our neighbors will not have food on their table. The Meals on Wheels for Kids' Holidays On Wheels program, in partnership with Metropolitan Ministries, will ensure homebound and transportation-disadvantaged kids and their families have a healthy and happy holiday season." Holidays On Wheels deliveries will occur between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 15 (delivery of Thanksgiving meal ingredients) and Monday, Dec. 13 (delivery of holiday meal ingredients and toys for children). TBNEH is encouraging families who qualify to register now by clicking here. The program is open to households with children (0-18 years) living in Hillsborough, Pasco or Pinellas counties. An eligible household must either 1) lack access to a working or reliable vehicle and are unable to get rides for life-sustaining trips: medical, grocery, work, job-related training/education and other vital services, or 2) is led by an adult that is largely homebound due to disability or illness. The head of the household must pass a background check and an adult must be home to receive the delivery. Deadlines to register for Thanksgiving is Nov. 2 and the December registration deadline is Nov. 26. "We are incredibly grateful to partner with the Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger to continue homebound deliveries this holiday season," said Tim Marks, Metropolitan Ministries president and CEO. "We're preparing to serve a total of 33,000 families, and many do not have access to transportation and simply can't get to us. Together with the Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger, we can reach those facing immense hardship." Volunteers will pick up route sheets and special delivery items from various Metropolitan Ministry Holiday Tent pick-up sites throughout the tri-county area or the Tampa Bay Rays' Tropicana Field and use their vehicles to deliver food this holiday season. Click here to create a volunteer account and sign up to deliver. Once the volunteer car is loaded, routes will take about 60 minutes to complete. Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger has more than 350 members serving Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.