Just before Christmas, charitable organizations in the Tampa Bay area found themselves struggling to help the struggling. ...more

January 9, 2009

Hundreds of struggling families from around the Bay Area came together at Metropolitan Ministries to have a hot meal on this Christmas Day. ...more

December 25, 2008

Some 200 families walked away from Metropolitan Ministries on Tuesday empty-handed and hungry. And other Bay area charities say they, too, are having trouble meeting increasing demands on their resources. ...more

December 22, 2008

Some 200 families walked away from Metropolitan Ministries on Tuesday empty-handed and hungry. ...more

December 19, 2008

Andrea Munro knew Tamara Geltmaker was taken from this world too soon. Although she never smoked, Geltmaker died from lung cancer in August at age 54. ...more

December 4, 2008

People in their 40s and 50s with long work histories are finding themselves unemployed for the first time in their lives. ...more

October 7, 2008

With people losing their jobs in a struggling economy, programs to help pay a month's mortgage, buy a bag of groceries or pay the month's utility bills are seeing a steady increase. ...more

October 6, 2008

Lyn Cleland understands supply and demand. The longtime New Tampa Holiday Donation Center volunteer is aware that the supply of donated food and gifts may fall short of Metropolitan Ministries' demand. ...more

December 19, 2007

TAMPA PALMS - Lyn Cleland understands supply and demand. The longtime New Tampa Holiday Donation Center volunteer is aware that the supply of donated food and gifts may fall short of Metropolitan Ministries' demand. So, in addition to giving her time as a team leader at the large red-and-white tent at St. James United Methodist Church, Cleland scouted for bargains before Thanksgiving, discovering a great deal on a holiday meal staple: cranberry sauce. ...more

December 14, 2007

TAMPA - Sunday afternoon, the situation at Metropolitan Ministries was dire: There was only a day's worth of food remaining at the Florida Avenue food pantry. ...more

October 9, 2007