The all-new Subaru of Wesley Chapel—currently under construction and scheduled to open in January 2023—hosted a food drive and holiday event experience to help support local charity Metropolitan Ministries on Saturday, December 10, 2022, from 11:00am to 3:00pm. To help draw attention and raise donations, the event featured a car show, food trucks, and family and pet photos with Santa. All event aspects were free to visitors with a donation, while supplies lasted.

The mission of Metropolitan Ministries is to care for at-risk and homeless families by providing many services, including food assistance.

“The food need in Tampa Bay is critical,” said Metropolitan Ministries President and CEO Tim Marks. “Demand to feed struggling local families has significantly increased with inflation, recent storms, and now the holidays.”

Current needs include canned meat, peanut butter, boxed cereal, canned vegetables, canned fruit, rice, beans, pasta, sauce, soups, baby food, and baby formula.

“We believe in giving back to the communities we serve, a mission that very much aligns with the Subaru Love brand,” said Scott Fink, Owner and CEO of Subaru and Volkswagen of Wesley Chapel. “We are asking our friends and neighbors to stop by during this event to donate. We’re calling it our Food Drive it Forward Event. Anything helps and is greatly appreciated.”

“This food drive could not come at a better time,” said Marks. “After providing years of COVID relief, our shelves are nearly bare. We could really use the community's help to feed hungry families in Tampa Bay.”

All goods collected during the event went to benefit families and individuals through the Inspire Hope hunger relief programs provided by Metropolitan Ministries.

"We believe hope starts with a meal, and this partnership with Scott Fink and Subaru of Wesley Chapel will not only help us alleviate suffering by feeding more families and individuals, but it will also open doors to additional programs for those who are in crises beyond hunger," said Marks.