Thieves stole about $50,000 worth of tent materials from Metropolitan Ministries in October, setting back the Tampa Bay nonprofit's Thanksgiving preparations as food drive participation lags well behind its goals.

The organization expects to serve nearly 30,000 households this holiday season. But as of Nov. 1, it had booked only 300 of the 800 food drives it hopes to host, according to Spectrum Bay News 9. Food donation drives are scheduled for Nov. 9 in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

That matters for Palm Harbor and Dunedin residents who want to pitch in. Metropolitan Ministries operates four holiday tents across the region, including one in Pinellas County. The stolen materials were staged for all four sites.

What was stolen

The break-in happened at the organization's Hillsborough holiday tent site in the West Shore area, Fox 13 first reported in late October. Aluminum pipe and drape components used to divide the large tents into smaller spaces for families were taken.

James Dunbar with Metropolitan Ministries told Bay News 9 the missing materials delayed setup by at least 10 to 15 days.

"We got our tents set up late. Went to go set up the inside of the tents, and a lot of the product we needed was missing," Dunbar said.

The organization said it filed a report with law enforcement and is cooperating with the investigation, according to Fox 13. Metropolitan Ministries said it is working with vendors to replace the materials.

Donations falling short

The theft compounded an existing problem. Dunbar said donations are down, including the dry goods the organization needs to feed that many families.

"This year we're way below on our drives that bring in the dry goods to be able to support that many families," Dunbar said.

He pointed to rising food costs and reductions in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as challenges affecting both donors and the families who need help.

Metropolitan Ministries President and CEO Dr. Sarah Combs said in a statement that the organization's focus remains on the families counting on it. She said the community has supported the organization for 54 years and invited anyone able to help replace the stolen materials.

According to the organization's Holiday Central page, a donor is matching gifts up to $5,000.

How to help

Residents can donate online, volunteer for a shift at a holiday tent or host a food drive. The most needed items are canned goods, stuffing, pastas, rice and beans, according to WFLA.

The Pinellas holiday tent at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 7851 54th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg, begins receiving donations Nov. 9, according to Metropolitan Ministries. The organization lists donation hours as 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.