LIGHTNING PARTNERING WITH METROPOLITAN MINISTRIES AS THANKSGIVING APPROACHES

Bolts to Volunteer, Collect Food for Homeless and at Risk Families 

TAMPA, FLA. – Tampa Bay Lightning, along with their friends at Metropolitan Ministries, will be partnering for a pair of events on Wednesday in preparation for Thursday’s Thanksgiving holiday.

The day will kick off at the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent, located at 905 North Governor St. in Tampa, as 20 Lightning staff will volunteer from 8:45 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.  The Bolts representatives will assist with client shopping, parking, wagon pulling, donation drop-offs, café operations and childcare while providing holiday meals for thousands of families throughout the Tampa Bay area.  Metropolitan Ministries has an urgent need for donations of yams and/or canned beans, but all non-perishable food donations are accepted.

That evening the Lightning will host a holiday food drive, benefitting Metropolitan Ministries, on Ford Thunder Alley prior to their game against the Philadelphia Flyers at AMALIE Arena (7:30 p.m., NBCSN, 970AM).  Fans who donate non-perishable food items will receive a retail coupon good at Tampa Bay Sports, powered by Reebok.  The Bolts Better Halves, the wives and girlfriends of Lightning hockey personnel, will be on hand to aid in collection efforts. 

“The Tampa Bay Lightning organization is a tremendous partner during the holidays and year-round,” said Metropolitan Ministries CEO and President Tim Marks. “When we engage the community through an organization like the Lightning, we are able to reach far more families in the Tampa Bay area through our hunger and volunteer programs.”

Metropolitan Ministries serves homeless and at-risk families in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties with compassion, practical help and a willingness to make a huge difference. They care for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in our community through services that alleviate suffering, promote dignity and instill self-sufficiency.