Holiday Food Help in Tampa Bay

Introduction to Holiday Food Help

Thanksgiving is just five weeks away, and Christmas is right behind it. For those facing financial hardship in Tampa Bay, there is help available — but it's essential to act quickly, as registration for holiday food assistance opens this Thursday, October 22, and slots fill up fast.

Who Can Register

Registration is open to families with children 0–17 facing financial hardship, households receiving SNAP, SSI, SSD, unemployment benefits, Medicaid, or cash assistance, and adults 62+ with limited income, including those whose only income is Social Security.

Registration Details

To register, visit MetroMin.org's Holiday Central online, which opens mid-to-late October, or register in person starting Thursday, October 22, at one of the following locations:

• Tampa: MetroMin Family Support Center, 2301 N Tampa St — Mon 10–4, Tue 10–6, Wed–Fri 10–4
• Holiday (West Pasco): West Pasco Family Support Center, 3216 US Hwy 19 N — Mon 10–4, Tue 10–6, Wed–Fri 10–4
• Dade City (East Pasco): East Pasco Family Support Center, 13703 17th St — Mon 10–4, Tue 10–6, Wed–Fri 10–4
• St. Petersburg (Pinellas): Holy Cross Catholic Church, 7851 54th Ave N — Tue–Thu 10–4

Free Thanksgiving Meals

For those who cannot register for holiday food assistance or prefer an alternative, free Thanksgiving Day meals are available at:

• The Portico Café, 1001 N. Florida Ave, Tampa, 11am–1pm
• First Church of the Nazarene, 6151 12th St, Zephyrhills
• First United Methodist Church, 9025 49th St N, Pinellas Park

No registration is needed for these meals.

Year-Round Food Support

In addition to holiday food help, Feeding Tampa Bay's regular food distributions continue throughout the year, providing ongoing support to those in need.

Important Reminders

• Every registration site has a limited number of slots, so it's crucial to register early.
• Have ID and documents showing your address and income or benefits ready.
• Call (813) 209-1000 ahead of time to confirm what to bring, as schedules can change.
• Hernando County residents should dial 2-1-1 to find out what's available near them.

Call to Action

Don't wait — register for holiday food assistance starting October 22, and take advantage of the free Thanksgiving meals and year-round food distributions available in Tampa Bay. Visit MetroMin.org's Holiday Central or call (813) 209-1000 for more information.