Ultimate Medical Academy and Highwoods Properties Donate 3,000 Pounds of Food to Metropolitan Ministries

Tampa, Fla., December 6, 2016 — Ultimate Medical Academy helped families in need this holiday season through an institution-wide food drive.

November, employees from UMA and other organizations in Highwoods Properties’ Tampa Bay Park filled donation boxes with nonperishable food items to help Metropolitan Ministries, a non-profit organization that serves low-income and homeless families throughout the Tampa Bay area. On Nov. 22, two days before Thanksgiving, the food was collected and taken to Metropolitan Ministries for distribution to needy families. All told, UMA and Highwoods collected nearly 3,000 pounds of food.

“We had fantastic participation for this food drive,” said Dan Soschin, UMA vice president of Marketing who oversees philanthropic initiatives at the non-profit healthcare school. “Our employees dedicate themselves to making the holidays a joyful time for everyone, including the members of our community who are in need of additional assistance.”

Metropolitan Ministries offers needy families services from food and short-term housing, to clothing and school programs. During the holiday season, Metropolitan Ministries serves meals to 18,000 families in need.

“We are so thankful for every business and organization that takes part in our mission, especially during the holidays,” said Tim Marks, President and CEO of Metropolitan Ministries. “You aren’t just giving these families a nice meal, you are giving them hope. And that’s a gift that means everything to people who feel alone and afraid during the holidays.”

UMA’s involvement with Metropolitan Ministries is one of the many service projects and outreach initiatives the institution participates in each year. For more details about UMA’s involvement in the community, visit ultimatemedical.edu/about/community-outreach.