Homeless in Hillsborough get a bit of help on 'Day of Dignity'

TAMPA — The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Project Downtown Tampa, Red Crescent, Islamic Relief and many other organizations provided free health and human services Sunday for the homeless in Hillsborough County at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa.

It was part of the ninth annual "Day of Dignity," a nationwide campaign sponsored by the Virginia-based Islamic Relief USA. According to the group, approximately 50 million Americans live in poverty, so events across the country, like Sunday's in Tampa, try to help by providing people in need with hygiene products, bus passes, bicycles, toys for kids, food, clothing, and health services.

Rachael Snow, who is affiliated with the University of South Florida and Project Downtown Tampa, said, "This is reinforcing the basic belief that everyone should have access to things like food and health care, so events like this deepen our roots and show that we care for all of the people in our community."