When Covid-19 began to impact the Tampa Bay community, 31-year Tampa builder Bayfair Custom Homes was designated an essential service. Thankful for being in a position to continue operating, the company committed to “pay it forward” and decided to fast track its planned fundraiser for its 2020 charity, Metropolitan Ministries. Due to the pandemic, Metropolitan Ministries’ managers and outreach teams saw their caseloads increase six-fold while their community’s needs increased dramatically.
The Bayfair Homes team jumped into action on April 29 with an online fundraising campaign for Metropolitan Ministries and a call for support from clients, trade partners, and team members. The goal, to raise $20,000, with Bayfair Homes matching dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000, for a total to date of $42,350, was met in less than three weeks!
“We wanted to raise money quickly to assist the expanding needs of Metropolitan Ministries, but we certainly didn’t expect to meet the goal this fast,” explained Bayfair Homes Managing Member David Seidenberg. Now, building on the successful campaign, Bayfair Homes will continue to operate the Metropolitan Ministries fundraising site and encourages anyone who can donate to the Metropolitan Ministries “Spread Hope” campaign. All funds raised will go directly to Metropolitan Ministries. [Fundraising page www.BayfairCares.com]
Since the start of the COVID-19 emergency response, Metropolitan Ministries has provided:
• 12,000+ Food boxes (each containing 36 meals; 432,000 meals total)
• 193,000 Grab & go meals
• Delivery of food and essentials to hundreds of homebound individuals (elderly, at-risk health, disabled, people without transportation)
• Assistance to 2,000+ families with rent/mortgage and utility payments
• Metropolitan Ministries case managers and outreach teams are working 6X their normal caseloads
• Regular daily operations, serving 3,000 meals a day and caring for 140 families and 300 children in our existing residential programs
About Bayfair Custom Homes
Founded in Tampa in 1989, Bayfair Custom Homes has built over 450 custom residences. The company has been locally owned and operated and is one of few custom builders to provide an experienced and integrated architecture and design team, as well as in-house warranty experts. Bayfair blends architectural design with graceful livability for today’s contemporary lifestyle. Bayfair is located at 1318 West Swann Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606. www.bayfair.com or (813) 875-3800.
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
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