Over 1,000 FREE donated clothing items, hygiene products, gift certificate giveaways, and a pancake breakfast are to be provided during Sep. 5th community event

WHO: Mayor Jane Castor, City of Tampa, Councilwoman Naya Young, District 5, Brian Hoben, Chief Program Officer, Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg, Eric Marrero Tampa Hope Director, John the Blanket Guy of Tampa.

WHEN: Saturday, September 5, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Tampa Hope- 3704 E 3rd Ave. Tampa, FL 33605

WHAT: A community giving event providing Tampa Hope residents with donated clothing, essential items, personal care service certificates, giveaways, musical entertainment, and a pancake breakfast.

TAMPA , FL (September 5, 2026)- Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg’s Tampa Hope Homeless Shelter will welcome city leaders, local businesses, nonprofit organizations and supporters to Tampa Hope on Saturday, Sept. 5, for a special giving event.

Alongside a pancake breakfast, more than 1,000 clothing items, shoes, hygiene items, backpacks and other essential items, will be distributed to residents. Residents will also have opportunities to receive one 40 raffle items, including gift certificates donated by local barbers, McDonald’s, a local pizza shop, and other community partners.

The message behind this event, “Hope Starts Here — Your Story Is Still Being Written.”, reflects the community’s commitment to reminding Tampa Hope residents that they are seen, supported and valued.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES: Speakers available if present at conclusion of formal portion of event . Clients will be available. Local partners and donors will be available. 

IF UNABLE TO ATTEND: VNR resources, including photos, video, drone footage, Tampa Hope background materials and additional visual assets will be available here:  VNR Resource Link

ABOUT TAMPA HOPE: Tampa Hope, operated by Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg provides shelter and supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness in Tampa. Through collaboration with the City of Tampa and community partners, Tampa Hope works to provide residents with stability, resources and pathways toward permanent housing.

ABOUT CATHOLIC CHARITIES: Catholic Charities, an accredited nonprofit agency since 1945, is a leader in serving the poor and vulnerable within Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties. Incorporated in 1968 under the auspices of the Diocese of St. Petersburg (www.dosp.org), it served nearly 36,900 individuals last year through three umbrella Ministries of Mercy –Foundations of Life, Friends in Need, Shelters of Hope – with services including but not limited to providing food and shelter, affordable housing, immigration and citizenship assistance, mental wellbeing counseling and medical care, disaster assistance, and pregnancy and adoption services. Learn more at www.ccdosp.org.