UPDATE: Tampa shelter getting donations but still has shortage

By: Valerie Boey

Update: A representative for Metropolitan Ministries says the shelter has had a steady amount of donations and items since we first aired the story about a shortage Sunday night. The shelter still need items though like peanut butter, rice, beans, cereal, crackers, cookies, cake mixes, canned meats, and mac and cheese.

Tampa, Florida - Donations of food at Metropolitan Ministries are about to run out.

Spokesperson Ana Mendez says there's just enough to get them through one more day.

“We feel that's it's due to a slowing Florida economy with the way the housing market is," Mendez explains. "High prices of gasoline, health insurance... it's just taking a toll on individuals giving to us.”

The shelter freezer is usually full, but now it's empty. Items such a fruits, vegetables and meat, along with rice, crackers and canned food are desperately needed.

Food donations are down by 20 percent, leaving many of the shelves bare. Yet the need has increased.

In just five days, 1,900 families registered to receive a holiday box of food. Mendez says they are “people like you and me. They're struggling from day to day. Mortgage rates are really high, it's really what we're seeing.”

Saul Cruz used to be a chef at a high end steakhouse, but ended up at the shelter with his family. When he suddenly got sick and wasn't able to work, his wife couldn't earn enough to support them.

“Together we was making it, but one of us couldn't make it on our own," Cruz says. "Rent is real high, car payments, the insurance, light, food electricity pretty much everything. The cost of living is getting higher.”

Saul and his family depend on the food and shelter at Metropolitan Ministries.

“It's tough to see you're children go through it and sometimes you feel like a failure as a father, but you know its something to get stronger, take it as a good thing and learn from it,“ Cruz says.

Ana Mendez hopes the public learns about their need for more food. Otherwise they'll have to turn people away.

Donations should be sent to Metropolitan Ministries at 2002 North Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602.

Non-financial donations can be dropped off at 2101 North Florida Avenue.

Click here for donation information.