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Lean Times Threaten Charity's Food Chain

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By NICOLA M. WHITE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 8, 2007

TAMPA - The stuff in the boxes isn't fancy: canned soup, Vienna sausages, cartons of macaroni and cheese.

For some needy folks, though, those boxes are a lifeline.

That's why officials at Metropolitan Ministries are appealing to the public for nonperishable food donations to keep the food pantry program alive.

As of Sunday afternoon, the pantry's shelves were bare and only a day's worth of boxed food remained.

'This probably will carry us about half a day tomorrow,' said Angelo Fluker, director of food services at Metropolitan Ministries as he motioned to a small stack of cardboard boxes. 'After that, we're stuck praying and hoping that somebody hears us and helps.'

Fluker and his staff give out between 100 and 150 'boxes of hope' every day to needy local families and single people. The food boxes are meant to help tide people over until they get on their feet.

Some people who come in aren't the people you'd expect to see at a food pantry. Many have jobs, but have tight budgets and are stretched until their next paycheck, Fluker said.

Most of the food comes from donations from individuals, churches and businesses. Compared to last September, however, food donations are down 20 percent. Monetary donations are down by $200,000 this month, said Ana Mendez, the agency's public relations director.

Normally, Metropolitan Ministries has enough food on hand to last two weeks - about 1,200 boxes worth, she said. Metropolitan Ministries is taking a hit because of the economy.

'We're seeing the need grow every month. The Florida economy is just softening,' Mendez said. 'People are having a hard time with housing, they're having a hard time selling their houses.'

HOW TO HELP
Metropolitan Ministries accepts both nonperishable food donations as well as monetary gifts. Needed food items include canned meat, fruit and vegetables; boxed rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cake mixes and crackers. Food and monetary donations can be dropped off from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2002 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. Call (813) 209-1059 or visit www.metromin.org for more information. Donations are accepted online.

Reporter Nicola M. White can be reached at nwhite1@tampatrib.com or (813) 779-4613.

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