'Giving Tuesday' Offers Chance To Help Tampa Bay Nonprofits

TAMPA, FL — As shoppers battle over the dregs of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts, it’s a good time to remember this is the season of giving.

There are many charities throughout Tampa Bay that could use your help during the holiday season. That’s the motivation behind #Giving Tuesday, which falls on Nov. 28 this year.

Now that you’ve purchased holiday gifts for your family and friends on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and CyberMonday, it’s time to think about those organizations that work throughout the year to help the less fortunate members of the community.

Started in 2012, #Giving Tuesday falls on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. It’s a reminder to all Americans that are many in the community who won’t experience the joy of opening a holiday gift or sharing a holiday feast.

There is no shortage of nonprofit and donation-dependent organizations that could use help this holiday season. Here are a few you might want to consider:

· Metropolitan Ministries is a Tampa Bay nonprofit organization that provides food, clothing and services to poor and homeless families in the area. Because so many families were impacted by Hurricane Irma, Metropolitan Ministries is anticipating an increase in the need for assistance this year. Donations this year will provide Christmas dinners for needy families, a “box of hope” for a senior citizens and toys for teens and infants.

· Meals on Wheels of Tampa is hoping residents will help provide fresh produce to 800 homebound and senior meal recipients one Saturday each month. Each delivery costs $1,000 so Meals on Wheels hopes to raise $10,000 this holiday season to help increase the daily fruit and vegetable intake of senior citizens.

· The Children’s Cancer Center is a nonprofit dedicated to serving the local families of children who have cancer or chronic blood disorders. One way the center raises funds is by selling holiday cards created by local children battling cancer or a blood disorder. This year’s holiday cards are available for purchase at all Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties' Publix locations, as well as online at CCCHolidayCards.com.

· Suncoast Hospice Foundation supports anyone facing chronic or advanced illness. The nonprofit helps patients live as comfortably and meaningfully as possible and offers assistance to their families and caregivers along the way.

· The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is dedicated to ending animal homelessness and providing care and comfort for companion animals in need. The society is asking the public to drop off donations of treats and pet toys to fill stockings on Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the shelter, 3607 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa. Santa will be on hand for photos with pets for a $10 donation.

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