Every Thursday this summer, Beth-El Farmworker Ministry staff load vehicles with water, sunscreen, electrolyte drinks, food, and hygiene kits and drive directly into the farm fields south of Ruskin to reach workers who cannot leave during the day.
The 50-year-old nonprofit said in a blog post published July 21 that its summer outreach is intensifying as temperatures climb. The reason is urgent: farmworkers are 35 times more likely to die from heat-related illness than workers in other industries, according to Beth-El citing CDC and OSHA data. A U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee report from September 2024 confirmed the same figure.
Hillsborough County, which includes the Ruskin farming corridor, has roughly 10,000 agricultural workers exposed to 113 unsafe heat days each summer, according to an Environmental Defense Fund analysis. Heat doesn't wait.
Wednesday pantry, Thursday field runs
Beth-El's food pantry opens every Wednesday from 1 to 5:30 p.m. at the ministry's 27-acre campus on U.S. Highway 301 south of Ruskin. Families arrive after long shifts, some with visible sunburns, according to the ministry's account of its operations.
The pantry is part of a broader local food network. Kim Kordalski, assistant manager of Our Lady's Pantry on U.S. 301, described the connection in an April 10 post about her pantry's weekly operations: "After we sort the produce, dairy, and breads on Tuesday morning, we often have some foods that won't keep until our distribution day on Saturday. We then ask one of our drivers to take the food to Beth-El Farmworker Ministry, a few miles south on U.S. 301."
On Thursdays, Beth-El's team heads to the fields with cooling towels, wide-brimmed hats, and sports drinks alongside meals.
Kids lose school meals in summer
When school lets out, farmworker children lose the routine meals many depend on. Beth-El fills part of that gap by distributing backpacks, school supplies, and new shoes ahead of the back-to-school season.
A long-term volunteer quoted in Beth-El's July 21 post explained why she keeps returning through the heat: "Because they would do it for me."
How residents can help
Beth-El's most-needed summer donations include reusable water bottles, large water jugs, sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), wide-brimmed hats, electrolyte packets, cooling towels, fans, non-perishable snacks such as granola bars and nuts, and gift cards to grocery stores or pharmacies. The food pantry also accepts canned beans, rice, pasta, peanut butter, canned fish, cooking oils, and instant soups.
Donation drop-off is Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 18240 U.S. Highway 301 S, Wimauma, FL 33598. Volunteer drivers are needed Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information is available at farmworkersbethel.site or by calling (813) 633-1548.
Beth-El's summer outreach receives support from Car Credit, owned by Steve Cuculich, and Nuevo en US.
Upcoming at Beth-El
- Food Pantry: Every Wednesday, 1–5:30 p.m., 18240 U.S. Highway 301 S, Wimauma
- Donation drop-off: Every Friday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., same address
- Volunteer shifts (drivers): Tuesday–Friday, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Contact: (813) 633-1548 or farmworkersbethel.site
