TAMPA - Folks walking by Lykes Gaslight Square in downtown Tampa today might do a double take as they pass thousands of cans illuminated by the sun and neatly lined up in the grass.
The 15,000 Campbell's soup cans are part of Metropolitan Ministries' Food for Thought, a campaign to raise the profile of Bay area people in need.
Tampa-based Sweetbay Supermarket donated the 15,000 cans of soup and has partnered with the nondenominational, nonprofit organization.
Each can represents one family in need of food, shelter, clothing.
The event will last until 2 p.m., with speakers including Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio making speeches beginning at 11:45 a.m. at the park, 400 N. Franklin St.
"We are in a crisis situation and have exceeded our original projections of 15,000 families" in need, said Morris Hintzman, president of Metropolitan Ministries.
He expects the group to help more than 21,000 families -- with 30,000 children -- this holiday season.
"The subprime mortgage rates are challenging working parents -- even milk prices are at an all-time high, said Tim Marks, chief development officer of Metropolitan Ministries. "Thousands of American families in communities just like ours are faced with having to choose between paying the electric bill and buying food."
The cans will serve as more than a display. Metropolitan Ministries will distribute the soup to people in need.
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