TAMPA, Fla. — A critical resource for people experiencing homelessness in Tampa has reopened its doors — this time with a new name, new leadership and expanded hours.
After closing due to federal funding cuts, the longtime Seminole Heights drop-in center formerly known as “The Shop” is now back as “The Drop — Dignity and Resilience Operations Partnership.”
What You Need To Know
After closing due to federal funding cuts, the longtime Seminole Heights drop-in center formerly known as “The Shop” is now back as “The Drop — Dignity and Resilience Operations Partnership
The daytime drop-in center provides showers, laundry, mail services, coffee, internet and free clothing — meeting basic needs for some of Tampa’s most vulnerable residents
Since connecting with The Drop, client Jonathan says he’s slowly getting back on his feet
The Drop is now open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays — expanded hours aimed at serving more people in need
A daily escape and support system
For Jonathan, who didn’t provide his last name, The Drop has become a place of consistency.
“I’m here just about everyday they’re open,” he said.
Reading at the center’s library is what keeps him coming back.
“Favorite books are contemporary society. It teaches you about social science and things like that and different societies, and it really opens your mind,” he said.
He says it helps him cope with the challenges he faces.
“It helps you escape some of the stresses that we go through.”
Jonathan says the past year has been life-changing.
“I am currently homeless,” he said.
He says everything shifted during the COVID pandemic — after losing his job, then his father following an illness and accident, he eventually lost his home.
At 28 years old, he says he never expected to be in this position.
“Life tends to throw curveballs at you,” he added.
Since connecting with The Drop, he says he’s slowly getting back on his feet.
Services restored after sudden closure
The daytime drop-in center provides showers, laundry, mail services, coffee, internet and free clothing — meeting basic needs for some of Tampa’s most vulnerable residents.
The center, now operated by WellBuilt Cities and founder Jon Dengler, nearly didn’t reopen after federal funding cuts forced it to shut down.
“We have so many friends on the streets that this is their mailing address. This is where their medicine comes. This is where they shower. And all of a sudden the doors on it were locked. We came by and it’s covered in “Sorry We Missed You” stickers from FedEx. And we’re like, ‘That’s people’s medicine that was arriving.’ And so it was like, to us, it was an emergency,” said Dengler.
Dengler says the reopening shows what strong community partnerships can accomplish.
”The things that stand in our way from doing that is concern with really, with our logos, or our egos, the things that we want to be known rather than necessarily going, hey, we lay those down for the sake of the greater work. I think that’s what this place is trying to set the table for,” Dengler said.
Jonathan says part of his journey is challenging misconceptions about homelessness.
“Typically, when somebody, you know, I’m walking down the street or somebody finds out I’m homeless, they’re automatically assume you’re a drug addict, that you’re trying to get high,” he said.
He says The Drop has opened the door to new possibilities.
“For people to open their doors and want to help that meant the world to me,” he said.
The Drop is now open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays — expanded hours aimed at serving more people in need.
Leaders say they hope to continue growing those hours and services in the future.