COMMUNITY

Serve - Learn - Grow: 

Building Bridges to Serve the Broader Community

In the spring of 2024, many FCM members gathered at the Tampa Center to explore how we, as a spiritual community, might “build bridges” with organizations throughout Tampa Bay that are working tirelessly to reduce suffering and support those in need. Many meaningful ideas emerged, and two priorities rose to the top:

• Offering mindfulness support to agency staff, and
• Providing volunteer assistance to organizations serving underserved populations.

Over the past year, however, significant funding cutbacks have forced many social-service agencies to focus solely on maintaining basic services. Most are no longer able to bring in outside programs such as staff mindfulness training—yet the needs of the poor, homeless, and vulnerable have only grown.

Partnering with WellBuilt Cities

In response, FCM has begun partnering with WellBuilt Cities, an organization providing essential services to those experiencing homelessness along Nebraska Avenue. Their newly opened day center, The Drop, currently operates two days a week and offers:

• Showers
• Laundry
• Coffee and snacks
• Mail accessInternet access
• A safe, welcoming place to rest

FCM members David Braash and Barbara Fling have already devoted many hours volunteering at The Drop, offering practical help and heartfelt connection to the many grateful guests who come through its doors. Several other FCM members have recently joined them, all describing the experience as deeply meaningful and heart-opening.

How You Can Help

The Drop is growing, and much more support is needed. If you live locally and can offer even a couple of hours during the week (with additional days hoped for soon), your presence would make a real difference.

You can support in other ways as well:

• Donate food and essential items: See the signs posted near the donation bins in the foyer of the Tampa meditation hall for a current list of needed items.
• Contribute financially: See Tuesday’s MM article for additional ways to help.

Please click here to learn more about The Drop.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please contact us at Outreach@floridamindfulness.org.

Together, we can continue to build bridges that embody our practice and serve our wider Tampa Bay community.