Metropolitan Ministries, a non-profit organization, plans to help nearly 15,000 families with Thanksgiving food assistance.

The organization hosted its first pop-up holiday tent of the season on Thursday evening.

Families drove up to receive a turkey, ham and other food items at The Crossing Church in Ruskin.

Christine Long, executive vice president and chief programs officer, says they're seeing an increased need this holiday season.

"Matter of fact, over 400% increase in the number of people coming, quadruple what we typically see, so theres lots of people struggling this holiday season and we want to do our best to serve as many of them as possible throughout the Tampa Bay region," she said.

Long believes there may be several factors contributing to a greater need for food assistan

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