TAMPA, Fla. — The demand for free traditional Thanksgiving meals for those experiencing hunger has grown since the back-to-back hurricanes hit the Tampa Bay area while donations have shrunk, according to Metropolitan Ministries.

What You Need To Know

  • Metropolitan Ministries said demand is up 20%, while donations are down 23%

  • The nonprofit plans to serve more than 1,800 Thanksgiving Day meals 

  • There's three pop-up locations in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties  

  • 30 volunteers showed up early Thanksgiving morning to help prepare the meals

“We’re actually down 23 percent on donations,” said Director of Food Services Luis Soto. “On the other side, people looking for assistance, that number has increased 20 percent.”

Soto was overseeing a large Thanksgiving meal prep early Thursday morning, which included 1,700 pounds of turkey, 1,400 pounds of mashed potatoes and 950 pounds of vegetables. Metropolitan Ministries will serve more than 1,800 people at pop up locations in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco Counties.

“The need is every single day,” said Soto. “It’s just not today.”

The massive food operation was made possible by the 30 volunteers who showed up early on the holiday to help. Retired nurse Lori Waite said she has been volunteering at Metropolitan Ministries for more than two years.

“These people are a family to me and that’s what I love about it,” she said. “I truly feel that they give me more than what I give them.” 

Hillsborough Chief Judge Chris Sabella for the 13th Judicial Circuit said it was his first time volunteering at Metropolitan Ministries on Thanksgiving Day and he wants to set an example for others in the legal profession.

“When I became the Chief Judge, that was part of my commitment was to do volunteer work and I want to encourage the other judges to get out,” he said. “Not only the other judges, but the attorneys in our community, the legal association, the people that work in the courthouse. We got a lot of employees.”

The meals will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Portico Café in Tampa, Christ United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg and the Healing Hearts Café in Zephyrhills.