Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister and Steve Yerrid, attorney and founder of The Yerrid Foundation, teamed up to distribute backpacks filled with water, nutritious snacks, and hygiene items, to homeless individuals in Hillsborough County.
Launched in early May, Metropolitan Ministries' 'We Care' project aims to provide a sense of comfort to individuals who are either homeless or struggling to feed their families. Made possible by The Yerrid Foundation's generous $100,000 donation, the 'We Care' project will provide a total of 5,000 food boxes, each containing 3-5 meals, and 500 backpacks containing water, non-perishable foods, and essential items.
This week, Sheriff Chad Chronister and Steve Yerrid visited a group of homeless individuals in Tampa to distribute several 'We Care' backpacks and share a few words of support and encouragement.
"Overcoming homelessness is a complex process that can be long, challenging, and in most cases, the individual needs guidance, resources, and a strong support system in order to regain their life," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "But the first step is what makes all the difference. With these food boxes and backpacks, we are sending a message of support and hope for a better tomorrow."
Over the course of the month, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has already placed nearly 200 'We Care' food boxes, and dozens of backpacks, in the hands of those who need them most. While HCSO's Behavioral Resource Unit is tasked with monitoring the program, deputies across all five districts have 24/7 access to the food boxes and backpacks.
“The outpouring of support for the 'We Care' initiative from our local law enforcement, including Hillsborough County Sheriff Chronister, Tampa Police Chief Dugan and all of their officers and deputies, has been wonderful to see,” said Tampa attorney and philanthropist Steve Yerrid. “The whole idea behind We Care was to help re-introduce community residents to the officers and deputies that serve to protect them, and to initiate the kind of interaction and communication that builds bonds and helps form meaningful relationships based on trust and compassion.”