Media Contact:
Justine Burke
VP Marketing, Metropolitan Ministries
Phone: Office – 813.209.1070, Mobile – 813.390.3217
Email- [email protected]
TITUS O’NEIL and JAMEIS WINSTON PLEDGE $50,000
TO METROPOLITAN MINISTRIES TO PROVIDE MEAL BOXES
FOR HOMEBOUND FAMILIES
WHO: Thaddeus Bullard (aka WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil) and his Bullard Family Foundation and NFL quarterback Jameis Winston announce a combined $50,000 gift to Metropolitan Ministries to provide meals to homebound families throughout Tampa Bay.
WHAT: Announcement of a $50,000 gift from O’Neil and Winston and to kick off the home deliveries of food. Metropolitan Ministries will provide the meal boxes. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies, along with caregivers with Assisting Hands Gulf Coast, will spend Tuesday and Thursday delivering the meals to families, many of which are homebound due to medical reasons or a lack of transportation. Delivery will be begin immediately after the press conference and include drop offs to the Preserves at Sable Park, a Blue Sky affordable housing complex in Seffner.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at 9 a.m.
WHERE: Sligh Middle Magnet School
2011 E Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33610
HIGHLIGHTS: This latest effort between the Bullard Family Foundation and Metropolitan Ministries is an extension of the partnership between the two organizations, which worked together this past holiday season to provide food and gifts for more than 30,000 families throughout Tampa Bay.
“I am excited to be able to step up in a big way with Metropolitan Ministries once again to help our community,” said Thaddeus Bullard, aka WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil. “With Jameis’ contribution, this impact is even greater and I’m so proud. These families need the help and hopefully this will not only fill their refrigerators, but it will lift their spirits to know that we are thinking about them and that we care.”
“During my time here in Tampa, I have met some great leaders. But Titus is simply one of the best. Our hearts align when it comes to giving back to our community, so this was an easy decision,” said NFL quarterback Jameis Winston. “Even though I’m not quarterback for the local team anymore, Tampa Bay is still my community. I love my community and I am happy to help.”
“One of the biggest requests we have been getting are from families who are homebound,” said Tim Marks, President and CEO of Metropolitan Ministries. “Thaddeus and Jameis stepped up at the perfect time. We are grateful to them for this gift and thrilled to continue the good work with Thaddeus. And with social distancing guidelines in place, we are grateful to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Assisting Hands Gulf Coast for providing the much-needed service of delivery with great safety and care.”
”We are always here to help when our community needs us and we’re excited to be able to help in this unique way,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “It’s a meaningful way to reach an incredible number of families.”
“Every day our caregivers witness the stress and anxiety on the homebound as a result of this pandemic,” said Alexis Nguyen, owner of Assisting Hands Gulf Coast. “For some, there is a very real feeling of isolation. To be able to deliver meals not only helps alleviate some of that stress for them, but it fills the hearts of our caregivers as well. We are proud about this partnership with such outstanding leaders and organizations in Tampa Bay and grateful for the opportunity to help make a difference.”
TO GET HELP: For those who are homebound and need delivery of food to Pinellas, Polk or Pasco counties, please call Metropolitan Ministries Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
About The Bullard Family Foundation
The Bullard Family Foundation was started in 2018 by Thaddeus Bullard aka WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil. Its mission is to provide families and children everywhere with moments, programs and resources to help build character and improve outcomes in communities. Additionally, O’Neil is a strong advocate for the Irwin’s Wildlife Warrior Foundation and helps raise funds annually through his involvement at the annual Steve Irwin Gala in Beverly Hills, California. The Foundation is headquartered in Tampa, FL. Visit bullardfamilyfoundation.org. On Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/bullardfamilyfoundation/
About Metropolitan Ministries
Founded in 1972, Metropolitan Ministries is a nonprofit, nondenominational, faith-based organization that provides comprehensive care for poor and homeless families in the Tampa Bay region. Through services that alleviate suffering, promote dignity and instill self-sufficiency, the Ministries strives to offer the power of love, heal broken lives, and help build a strong, caring community. Metropolitan Ministries’ main campus is located at 2002 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, FL 33602 and the Pasco campus is located at 3214 US HWY 19, Holiday, FL 34691. www.metromin.org
About Assisting Hands Gulf Coast Assisting Hands Gulf Coast provides exceptional home care that enriches the lives of its clients and provides peace of mind for families. Its mission is to offer clients personalized non- medical support services in their homes, assisting the elderly, disabled and others needing assistance to maintain quality of life at any age and in any situation.
Assisting Hands Gulf Coast, serving Hillsborough, Manatee, Polk, Highlands, Hardee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties, is headquartered in Tampa, FL. For more information, please visit http://assistinghands.com/gulfcoast
