On February 10, 2026, a local Valrico brewery opened its doors for a music bingo night with a purpose — raising money and awareness for ECHO of Brandon, one of the most important nonprofits in eastern Hillsborough County.

What Is ECHO?

If you've lived in Brandon or Valrico for any length of time, you've probably heard of ECHO. The Emergency Care Help Organization has been serving eastern Hillsborough County for decades, providing emergency food, clothing, and life-stabilizing resources to families in crisis.

ECHO isn't just a food pantry, though that's a critical part of what they do. The organization also offers:

• Free one-on-one job coaching to help people find employment
• GED assistance for adults working toward their high school equivalency
• Workshops on budgeting, resume writing, and other life skills
• Emergency clothing for individuals and families, including a partnership with HCA Florida Brandon Hospital to provide clothing essentials to patients in need

In 2025, ECHO of Brandon was awarded the Bronze award for Best Employment Staffing in the Tampa Bay Times' Best of the Best reader poll — a testament to the impact of their job coaching program.

The Music Bingo Event

Music bingo works like regular bingo, except instead of numbers being called, songs are played. You match the song titles on your card, and the first to get a line (or a full card) wins. It's casual, social, and a lot more fun than it sounds on paper.

The Valrico brewery event brought together bingo fans, beer lovers, and community members who wanted to do something good on a Monday night. The combination of craft beer and a feel-good cause made for a solid turnout.

Why Events Like This Matter

ECHO serves a need that most people don't think about until they're in the middle of a crisis. A job loss, a medical emergency, a natural disaster — any of these can put a family in a position where they need help with basics like food and clothing. ECHO is the organization that catches those families before they fall through the cracks.

The music bingo fundraiser is part of a broader trend in eastern Hillsborough County: community-driven, low-key fundraising events that bring people together while supporting local causes. The Valrico FishHawk Chamber has been doing this with its kickball tournament, and local businesses have increasingly stepped up to host similar events throughout the year.

How to Support ECHO

You don't have to wait for the next fundraiser to help:

• Donate food or clothing at ECHO's Brandon location
• Volunteer — they need people to sort donations, coach job seekers, and help with daily operations
• Make a financial donation at echofl.org
• Spread the word — many people in the community don't know ECHO exists until they need it

ECHO of Brandon is located at 507 N Parsons Ave in Brandon and serves residents throughout eastern Hillsborough County, including Valrico, FishHawk, Bloomingdale, and Riverview.

For more information, visit echofl.org or follow ECHO Emergency Care Help Organization on Facebook.