Families in Ruskin can pick up free groceries at the SouthShore Community Resource Center on Friday, Dec. 11, as Hillsborough County ramps up food distributions for the holidays.

The distribution runs from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 201 14th Ave. SE in Ruskin. No income restrictions apply.

Hillsborough County Health Care Services partnered with Feeding Tampa Bay to organize the events, which provide protein, fruits, vegetables, starches and shelf-stable pantry items, WTSP first reported.

Rob Mirlenbrink with Hillsborough County Health Care Services said the county has organized the distributions since 2019, targeting communities where residents may need additional help. The events typically serve between 200 and 250 families, he said, and the county has increased the amount of food distributed.

"We actually do 16 of these events a year and the goal is to come to some of the lower income areas in the county to help with food assistance," Mirlenbrink said.

The county holds one distribution per month from January through October, then three per month in November and December to help families save money toward gifts and other holiday expenses, according to Mirlenbrink.

County workers at the distributions also connect residents with other assistance programs, including the Hillsborough County Health Care Plan, which provides medical, dental, vision and prescription benefits to qualifying uninsured residents.

Metropolitan Ministries, which partners with more than 30 community organizations across Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties, expects more than 30,000 households to seek help this holiday season, according to WTSP. Families can check eligibility and register at metromin.org/need-help.

Upcoming free grocery distributions

  • Thursday, Dec. 10: Lee Davis Community Resource Center, 3402 N. 22nd Street, Tampa. 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Friday, Dec. 11: Plant City Community Resource Center, 307 N. Michigan Ave., Plant City. 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Dec. 11: SouthShore Community Resource Center, 201 14th Ave. SE, Ruskin. 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.