By Mary Kate Krueger
TAMPA, Fla. — The homeless population is especially vulnerable, with chances of finding affordable housing even lower. The Faith Cafe, right on the outskirts of Midtown, provides food and shelter services for those in need.
Located at 1340 North Clearview Avenue, Faith Cafe’s goal is to feed the homeless population and those in financial straits in times of uncertainty. The cafe is part of The South Tampa Ecumenical Ministries (STEM), which is a collaboration of six local churches. Metropolitan Ministries collaborates with the cafe to provide meals.
Midtown Tampa has undergone significant gentrification, including a $1 billion, 23-acre multi-use complex for residential and recreational purposes. This has raised property values, thus majorly increasing rent and the cost of living.
Midtown is located in the Westshore district of Tampa, Florida. Popular attractions in Midtown include True Food Kitchen, the Midtown Commons, F45 training, and as of recently, a Whole Foods Market.
While gentrification projects have positive impacts, such as more businesses opening and lower unemployment rates, they also raise the cost of living. This negatively impacts the homeless population and those dealing with food scarcity.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, between the years 2023 and 2024, the Tampa Bay area experienced an overall 3.7% increase in overall cost of living. Additionally, the Consumer Price Index indicated that the overall cost of primary residence increased by 5.9%.
The steady rise in living expenses and gentrification has placed a financial toll on many residents, making it difficult for many to afford necessities.
Faith Cafe has an outdoor shower area, where attendants provide shower supplies such as body washes, shampoos, soap bars, razors, and toothbrushes. This unique feature allows for the homeless population to have access to proper hygiene.
Deanna Clifford, a member of the Tampa homeless population, spoke of her experiences at the Faith Cafe, where she goes every weekday for hot meals and showers.
“I come here to shower, eat, get clothes, and to get paperwork to help me get hotel vouchers and vouchers to get shelters,” Clifford said. “It’s helped me whenever I need to eat. I’ve never gone hungry.”
When asked to speak on the impacts of gentrification on the homeless community, Clifford responded by stating, “The rising prices will make it very difficult for those to afford food, to afford housing, and more and more people will start having to come to the Faith Cafe.”
While the Faith Cafe mainly helps feed the unhoused community, many housed individuals join the cafe for a free lunch just to help with their expenses.
An unnamed man, who asked not to disclose his identity, said he has been reliant on the Faith Cafe’s services sometimes due to the rising price of groceries and affordable toiletry products.
“Many of us who come here aren’t even homeless,” he said. “Having a free, hot meal on occasion has helped so many who don’t have the resources to feed themselves on a daily basis.”
The Faith Cafe is open lunchtime Monday through Saturday and offers dinners on Sunday nights. Up to 90 people are fed every day.
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Photo courtesy of Faith Cafe Tampa.