ECHO Seeks Aid To Meet Seasonal Needs

Workers with the Emergency Care Help Organization of Brandon are gearing up for a busy holiday season attending to the needs of those living through tough times because of emergency situations.

ECHO leaders are asking community residents, groups and organizations to give of their time and other resources to help ECHO further its mission.

Goods Sought

• Donations of turkeys and children’s toys are especially needed. Requests for winter clothes and blankets are heating up, too, as the cold weather sets in.

Volunteers Needed

• Volunteers are needed Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon, to help sort food items and stock the pantry, among other projects. Also, volunteers are needed in both the food pantry and clothing area on Nov. 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sign up online.

Upcoming ECHO Client Center

• Open houses for religious leaders have been scheduled to discuss the upcoming ECHO Client Center. Space is limited and reservations are required for the informational sessions Dec. 7 and 8, at 3 p.m., and Dec. 9 at 9:30 a.m. Reserve your spot with an email to ECHO director Stacey Efaw, at Stacey@echofl.org.

Westfield Brandon Contest

• The shopping mall is hosting a holiday canned-food sculpture contest and is looking for groups to enter and compete. The winning group receives a $200 gift certificate for a pizza party. Email Stacey@echofl.org to inquire about any remaining openings for group participation.

Barnacles' Soup for Cans Drive

• , at 926 Providence Road in Brandon, is collecting canned foods for ECHO. Bring a can to donate and your meal at Barnacles will include a free cup of soup. A free bowl of soup will be served in return for every two cans of food donated. The offer is good through Nov. 23.

ECHO is at 507 North Parsons Ave. in Brandon and can be reached at 813-685-0935.