It's always nice to do something really good. But when you do a good deed and and get a little something in return, it's a bonus. Well this Friday, you can help stock the shelves of Metropolitan Ministries by donating food to them. And in return, you can get up to four tickets to the 140th edition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, called Barnum’s FUNundrum, which kicks off in January.

Here's how it works: Donations can be dropped off Friday, Nov. 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ONLY, in front of the McDonald’s Box Office at the St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa.
A minimum donation of 10 items is required to receive a ticket and there is a limit of four tickets per family. Tickets are for the 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, opening night performance at the Forum. 

Metropolitan Ministries, a non-profit, nondenominational organization in Tampa that provides food and services for poor and homeless families, is in need of any non-perishable item you can think of: boxed cereal, stuffing, canned fruit. canned meat, cranberry sauce, gravy and vegetables. the agency serves more than 150 families a day. And need is felt most acutely during the holidays. And if you want to help by throwing a food drive, the agency has a list of ideas on how to have a successful one.

If you'd like to donate food but don't want the free tickets, you can still buy them beginning Friday at any Ticketmaster outlet or by calling Ticketmaster toll free at 1-800-745-3000; or at the Forum box office. Performances are Jan. 6-10 with matinees set for Jan. 9-10.

Help others and get the chance to have a little fun. Now that's a good deed.

-- Sherry Robinson

[Photo: Last week, Ringling Bros. performers clowned around while introducing a the new Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey video games for Wii and Nintendo DS]