Metropolitan Ministries Tent Now Open

It's official. The holidays are upon us. And now is the time your help is needed most.

The Pasco Metropolitan Ministries tent opened Nov. 12 at Keystone Community Church at 21010 State Road 54 in Lutz. And though it got off to somewhat of a slow start, volunteers say they hope the word spreads quickly that they are there.

By 11 a.m. they had five frozen turkeys dropped off, and several motorists passing by stopped to ask what was needed, co-coordinator Deborah Gehlen said.

And though this is the fourth year that the church has hosted the only Metropolitan Ministries tent in the Land O' Lakes/Lutz area, the trick is just getting the word out that the food and toy drive goes beyond the members of the church.

"It's not just a Keystone event," co-coordinator Angela Hobson said. "The tent is truly meant to be a community event."

The coordinators have worked to bring in other churches, local businesses and schools, including Sunlake High and Primrose School, which organize food drives to bring items to the tent, Hobson said.

"That's how it grows, by trying to get everyone involved in it," Hobson said.

Besides bringing in donations of frozen turkeys, non-perishable food items and new toys, there also are other ways you can help.

"We still need some volunteers," Gehlen said.

To sign up, visit the Keystone Community Church volunteer page to view open shifts, then register online.

You also can assist the effort by spreading the word.

Raising awareness of the tent's location and the needs is important to its success, Hobson said.

The tent will be at the church at the southwest corner of State Road 54 and U.S. 41 from Nov. 12 through Nov. 21. It will open again Dec. 15 through Dec. 23.

Tent Hours:

Monday-Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thursday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m

Sunday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The church also will host a free Fun Feeds Pasco event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17. The event will feature entertainment, children's activities, free hot dogs and more. Check out this story for more details.

See also: Community Invited to 'Fun Feeds Pasco' Saturday

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