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Brandon area churches rally to curb holiday hunger

 
Published Nov. 13, 2014

Tis the season to give back.

And in eastern Hillsborough County tis time for the Gift of Hope, an annual food drive to help financially strapped families enjoy the holidays.

This year, in partnership with the Emergency Care Help Organization, Greater Brandon area churches and businesses will provide more than 1,300 families with groceries to prepare hot Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.

"There continues to be a great need in the area," said Kathy Collins, ECHO community relations director. "About one in six people still struggle to put food on the table. And the issue isn't limited to the homeless. Approximately 94 percent own or rent a home."

Collins estimates Gift of Hope will feed more than 6,000 individuals this year, more than half under the age of 18.

The outreach, which serves eastern Hillsborough County (with the exception of Plant City), Tampa ZIP codes 33610 and 33619 and Thonotosassa residents, runs off donations.

Participating churches will collect designated items, everything from canned goods to Jell-O, for Thanksgiving through Thursday. Also, a holiday tent at First Baptist Church of Brandon, 216 N Parsons Ave., will remain open to community donations through Nov. 21. Those interested can donate $15 toward the purchase of a turkey in person or online at brandongiftofhope.com.

Food distribution will take place Nov. 21 and 22. Registration for Thanksgiving is closed but families can sign up for Christmas assistance beginning the first week of December. Volunteers are needed for both holidays.

Participating churches include Apostles Lutheran, Bay Life, Bell Shoals Baptist, First Baptist Church of Brandon, First Presbyterian Church of Brandon, First United Methodist Church of Brandon, River of Life Church, Southside Baptist, Journey Church, Grace Community United Methodist Church in Lithia and True Sanctuary of Praise in Riverview.

"This a wonderful time when churches come together to show the love of Christ in a practical way," said Dan Reid, senior pastor at Journey Church. "It is a time to take care of others."

For more information on the gift of hope, visit brandongiftofhope.com.