Tampa Heights

Charity takes on challenge for hungry

A philanthropist's sweet deal will feed the hungry and give community groups that help a boost with $1-million.

By ERIN WILHELM
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 11, 2003

Metropolitan Ministries has teamed up with area schools to collect food and money for the hungry.

It's part of a national challenge issued by a Rhode Island philanthropist.

Alan Feinstein started the annual $1 Million Feinstein Challenge six years ago to help organizations nationwide that fight hunger in their communities.

This marks Metropolitan's fifth year.

Organizations will receive a portion of the $1-million based on their percentage of the total amount received.

Metropolitan hopes to raise $40,000 in cash and food donations by the end of the month, said spokeswoman Lesa Weikel. Each pound of food collected at participating schools adds 50 cents to the organization's total amount.

The money Metropolitan raises through the challenge will support Uplift U, a long-term residential program for single women and families. It also will help its outreach program, which aids families at risk of becoming homeless.

The challenge comes a few months after Metropolitan was forced to lay off 15 employees and phase out the single men's residential program because of declining contributions.

Five public and private schools in Hillsborough County have signed up to be drop-off locations for nonperishable food items. People also can give cash donations directly to Metropolitan Ministries at 2002 N Florida Ave. in Tampa Heights.

As an added incentive, Feinstein will give the 50 schools in the nation that collect the most food $1,000 each to use at their own discretion.

For information, call Metropolitan Ministries at 209-1000 or go to www.metromin.org. All donations must be specified for the Feinstein challenge and postmarked by April 30.

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