Be a community that serves
It can be easy to get consumed by the amount of negative news lately. There are a lot of things that simply feel broken from a necessity point of view in our world today. For various reasons, including fatigue, it can seem pointless to look for solutions when so many media outlets tells us that there are none. That no one cares about us as a whole or individuals, and that the decisions will only positively impact the few.
I would like us to challenge that though. On the other end of submitting to the doom that comes with scrolling is a world of discovery and hope. There is worth in sharing and momentum for the good in our world worth growing, but it falls on us. Not just to be receptive, but to be intentionally looking for good works, celebrating good works, and protecting good works.
If you want to be part of the solution instead of the problem, then start with some of these awesome groups of people making a difference.
Free Lunch for Kids & Teens – University Area CDC
In more homes than you would think, children look forward to going to school for what could be their only meal of the day. Now with kids still out of school families in our community are feeling the strain of feeding children an additional meal than they’re used to this time of year. Regardless of the reason, one thing that we should agree on is that children should not go hungry. Not anywhere, and especially not in a country with the world’s first trillionaire.
At the Summer Break Spot, this group answers a large demand to feed the young and merge summer fun! They say “No School? No Problem!” At the Harvest Hope Park they can be found dutifully serving our community kids Monday through Thursday between 12:15 and 12:30.
If you know anyone with children who may be struggling to find their next meal please direct them to these beautiful people.
I am not sure who is involved at this function but the University Area CDC is showing up for the ones we should all be looking out for. From their site, it looks like they also partner with Feeding Tampa Bay which is an amazing organization that has a large reputation for feeding our community and in taking a stance in reducing community hunger.
Brigade – Metropolitan Ministries
A big gap in getting care for someone who is down on their luck is tied to the process of getting assistance. There may be only one office with specific hours that only communicates through appointments or mail. These things eat into all of our resources and make getting affairs in order cumbersome and dreadful for all of us. Taking off work, driving to the DMV to then fill out a form to mail, going to the county clerk, or setting a meeting during restrictive appointment hours. So what happens when someone facing a lack of transportation, no mailing address, disabilities, or no telephone needs to meet these same requirements?
Small but mighty, you will see the Brigade team at Metro Ministries addressing this very question. Brigade at Metropolitan Ministries serves over 3,000 locals who face homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless by bringing the solutions to the people. Right where they are. Not just by serving hot meals but by setting up shop. Bringing fold out tables, chairs, scanners, and tablets. These groups create pop-up offices helping those in need to get their identification in order, their social security, their bus cards, Medicaid, food stamps and other benefits situated.
Shadowing this team of incredible people serving their community showed me how much we can make an impact to fixing the holes in our current system. It also showed me just how much I take for granted.
They not only serve Hillsborough County but travel far and wide to assist in Polk and Pasco counties, too. Check out more details on their schedule and where they serve on their website here.
What you may not find online is the history that Brigade was largely comprised of AmeriCorps members. I also served as a AmeriCorps volunteer; a domestic Peace Corps-like operation that offers grants for Americans to serve our communities in need on our soil and overseas. This entire organization has faced drastic cuts that affected a large portion of volunteers and groups back in 2024. This mass layoff impacted our very own Brigade team leaving a hole in this community that has been felt. However, the Brigade team has built itself back up and continued to do their great work with or without government support. If you see their green shirts, make sure to say hello and thank them for their service.
Radiant Hands – Thrift Store
This was a find that I almost passed without noticing on the way home. From what I gathered, it’s a new community thrift store right on 56th for us to enjoy. I love a good thrift store or consignment shop. I love the adventure, the thrill of a good find, and the joy of the journey to rehoming a new item that someone was gracious enough to Marie Kondo onto the shelf.
In the price department this store delivers. You are truly getting thrift store prices for these nice finds. I know we have all been disappointed by the worn-out clothes or furniture that is marked a whopping $20 down from retail price.
A little searching shows that Radiant Hands delivers way more than good deals. Radiant Hands provides social work, self sufficiency programs, and counseling to women and families in need. They are also well known for their assistance and support to refugees fleeing conflict from their home countries across different cultural and religious backgrounds.
They are changing the lives of our newer neighbors and of our locals by promoting empowerment. I was blown away by the workshops, activities and efforts that are offered by this organization.
Testimonials on their website showcase volunteers who’ve felt the difference they are making matters.
Why should you know this?
I would love to think that anyone who gets this far in the post will be eager to find out how they can help, but I understand that life is busy. I can’t stress how important volunteering for those in need is and how it makes us all better, happier, and fulfilled people. So volunteering is the first thing, but I get that some of us may just not be in that space yet.
The beauty of knowing this information is that even if you can’t volunteer today, you can still help just by the power that is word of mouth.
It’s important to know that the knowledge you now have can help change someone’s life. The next time you come across someone in need, these are just a few directions you may be able to point them to.
Please reply below with other organizations you feel our community should know about.
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