Metropolitan Ministries kicks off food drive for the holidays

Tampa, Florida -- One local charity is providing food for twice as many people this Thanksgiving compared to last year - just one more example of our hurting economy.

Thousands of needy families were given boxes full of Thanksgiving supplies at Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa. Families waited in line, registered, then were escorted by a Metropolitan Ministries volunteer.

Shannon Rosario never thought she would end up receiving food from Metropolitan Ministries.

"We use to donate to Metropolitan Ministries all the years before this. We were able to give to Metropolitan ministries, I never dreamed that we would have to accept from them, ever," said Shannon Rosario.

Rosario has four kids and the family fell on hard times when her husband was laid off from his job. "My husband use to work 40 hours per week and we were able to pay our bills and, now, you just hope they won't turn off your electric," Rosario said.

Metropolitan Ministries steps in to help families like the Rosario's by providing food for holiday dinner.

"Four years ago, we served 15,000 families, this year 29,000, and we're at capacity here and we know that it's not just an urban problem. It's urban, suburban, throughout the Bay area," said Tim Marks of Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa.

Metropolitan Ministries has only 50 percent of the food needed and is not sure if there will be enough food to go around.

For more information on how to donate or volunteer with Metropolitan Ministries, you can visit them on the web at: www.metromin.org.