TAMPA, Fla. - It’s no secret the financial impacts of COVID-19 have been devastating across the board. With no end in sight, some communities have learned to adapt. 

To see one in action, look no further than South of Gandy. 

For months now, every Thursday Shawn Brown picks up food boxes from Metropolitan Ministries and brings them to the Gandy Civic Center. 

He’s the VP of the Gandy Civic Association and grew up not too far from the community he’s now helping.

“I was raised by a single Mom so I know what it’s like to struggle. I could hear my Mom crying herself to sleep at night trying to figure things out. I know that’s occurring now,” Brown said.

For years Metro Ministries has served meals at the Civic Center, but when COVID ramped up, the need grew and meal kits became the answer for hundreds of households South of Gandy.

“Met a lot of people who for the first time have never asked for help. And they’ve been coming,” Brown said,.

“The vast majority of people visiting the Gandy Civic Center, meeting with the Brigade, and in need in the area are housed,” said James Dunbar with Metro Ministries.

Dunbar says it comes down to loss of wages and hours cut.

“Many of those families work entry level jobs or are on the lower job spectrum and really those are the families that have been impacted the most,” said Dunbar.

“We see a lot of bitterness elsewhere in the world, this is a chance to say, there’s hope,” Brown said.

It’s a hope Shawn wants to share and a message he leaves behind…as he heads back downtown to pick up another pallet of food.