During these challenging times, families everywhere are being forced to reevaluate, reschedule and regroup; putting aside those gatherings, reunions, weddings, graduation and anniversary celebrations that serve as memories and milestones in the lives of any familial unit, to turn their attention instead to the everyday business of basic survival.
Metropolitan Ministries, a nonprofit agency committed to ensuring that individuals and families in Tampa Bay have access to food, housing, shelter, and utilities, recently has expanded its services to include a greater outreach in Hernando County. Now Justine Burke, VP Marketing & Communications of Metropolitan Ministries (www.metromin.org), tells us that United Way Suncoast is providing Metropolitan with $50,000 in emergency assistance funds. This fund distribution is part of a more than $1.2 million of COVID-19 emergency assistance response drawn from the United Way Suncoast’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund; monies being given to human services agencies across the Suncoast to support housing/shelter, food, childcare, financial stability, and mental health services.
Through these efforts, and those of many other social service agencies serving citizens in this time of need, families throughout Tampa Bay soon should be able to return their attention to the sweeter things in life. Such as….
‘The Proposal, Anna Maria Island,’ this week’s Sunshine art submission, is an ethereal engagement portrait shot by Brooksville photographer Alexia Ludwick; capturing that one very special moment in which a union is formed–and a family is born. Even during the toughest times, the image of a romantic beachfront proposal tends to soothe heart and soul; reminding us now of all the June weddings sure to be celebrated sometime in the future.
Send your good news, art and poetry, and positive community stories to Megan Hussey at [email protected]. Show us your sunshine!
