Metro Ministries launch holiday tent season despite low donations [Video]

TAMPA, Fla. — Metropolitan Ministries launched its annual holiday food drive on Monday, opening its holiday tent to a dire forecast and urgent call for help.

The charity, which helps provide holiday meals to thousands of people this time of year, says they’re seeing record demand even as donations are down sharply.

“I have had a second chance of being successful through the donations and generosity of others,” said Nina Diaz, who now works for Metropolitan Ministries.

But it wasn’t long ago that Diaz and her children were the ones on the receiving end of other people’s kindness.

Now, she hopes people will find a way, even if things are tight in their own budgets, to help those in need this holiday season.

“Every little thing helps,” Diaz said. “Even if you are …