Times staff
Thursday, December 2, 2010
HOLIDAY — Metropolitan Ministries of Tampa and Joining Hands Mission in Holiday are taking on a major private fundraising initiative to expand efforts to help Pasco County's homeless families and children.
Metropolitan Ministries, which has provided services in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties for 40 years, is offering up to $90,000 in matching funds for Joining Hands' programs in Pasco. Those programs include utility assistance, emergency food and shelter.
Joining Hands is Metropolitan's first year-round satellite partner. The group's steering committee includes Pasco Commission Chairwoman Ann Hildebrand.
Homelessness in Pasco County is a rapidly growing problem, and recent statistics show that the number of school-age homeless children in Pasco has grown in one year from 2,400 to 3,200, according to the Rev. Dan Campbell, chief executive officer of Joining Hands and leader of Pasco's homeless coalition.
Donations and pledges can be made by contacting Campbell at (727) 937-3268 or e-mail at dan@joininghandsmission.org.