Many people have been negatively affected by COVID-19. The economy was gravely changed, and many families are scrambling to find work. The need for assistance continues to grow.

Daniel Soares, The Harbor Church Food Pantry Coordinator, has seen a jump in the number of families needing help. Before the pandemic, the Food Pantry took care of approximately 10 to 12 families per week. Since COVID, the food pantry, which is open from 5-7 pm every Wednesday, helps between 30 to 40 families, and the numbers keep escalating.

According to Daniel, the church receives food from three sources; Tampa Bay Harvest, Feeding Tampa Bay, and the generous donations of The Harbor Church members. The Food Pantry is a team of 13 volunteers (11 are from The Harbor) who loving give food, encourage those who are down, and pray for the families who come.

But the ministry goes beyond giving away food. The team members have helped families move who could not otherwise afford a moving truck and movers. They supplied a family with a wheel chair and, just recently, provided another family with a refrigerator.

It says in 1 John 3:17, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” The Harbor Church food pantry team seeks to be God’s hands and feet to the community.

If you would like to help serve at or give to The Harbor Church food pantry, please contact Daniel Soares at [email protected] or the office at [email protected].