Kay's Ministry Offers 'Food for the Soul' for Homeless

Thirty volunteers gave up their Thanksgiving holiday to help feed Tampa's homeless.

Armed with turkey sandwiches, pumpkin pie and thanksgiving prayers, about 30 volunteers from Kay's Ministry headed to downtown Tampa on Thanksgiving Day to provide support and sustenance to residents who might otherwise go hungry on the holiday. The 3-year-old ministry of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Valrico, led by FishHawk Ranch resident Charlie McGowan, is committed to providing food for the soul as well as the body to Tampa's homeless population. Volunteers sacrifice time each Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day to feed and pray for those in need. For McGowan, it's a way of showing gratitude for all the blessings in his life. "It's not what we have that's important," he said. "It's what we give. Everyone is called by Jesus to …

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Heike House

9:50 am on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Great story, D'Ann! Along with the wonderful photos, this story touched my heart, reminding, once more of the many reasons I have to thank God for all His wondrous gifts. Thank you!   more ›

What's Tampa Bay Saying?

Sitting Ban to Curb Homelessness?

How far is too far for local governments to go in an effort to reduce the visibility of homeless people on their streets? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section.

According to Metropolitan Ministries, there are more than 25,000 homeless people living in the Tampa Bay area. And with jobs scarce and economic woes continuing, that number keeps growing. As local governments grapple with their own ever-shrinking budgets, some are taking strong measures to put out no vacancy signs for their homeless populations. Panhandling bans, for example, are in effect in many Tampa Bay area communities, including Tampa and Pasco County. While homeless shelters exist, many report they are operating at capacity. Metropolitan Ministries estimates more there are 1,500 beds for homeless in Hillsborough County. Even so, some 8,000 homeless go without shelter each night, the agency estimates. In nearby Pinellas County, the …

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phyllis

7:15 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012

have you ever handed a panhandler a business card of a place that was hiring--I did several times and it wasn't appreciated   more ›

Caregivers Help Homeless Families Regain Independence

Homelessness among children and families is a growing problem in the Tampa Bay area, and there are many opportunities to help serve this community.

Imagine being a child again. For many, this brings back memories of a simpler time -- school days, the family home, gatherings with friends and relatives and exploring the world from your own backyard. Now, imagine being a child who is homeless, and think about how that picture changes. In 2010, this was the reality of 49,886 children in Florida. In the Tampa Bay area, the most recent data collected reveals that, of the 6,235 individuals who were homeless in Pinellas County, 32 percent were children, and in Hillsborough County, 23 percent of the 17,755 homeless individuals were children. Most homeless children experience homelessness because their parents lost housing for the family due to financial strain. According to Duggan Cooley, …

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