3/25/20
Yesterday, we served a record number of families at our Pantry: 465! This includes 218 children. Thank you to the hard-working staff, volunteers and donors who made this possible.
Our outdoor, mobile Food Pantry will be open tomorrow, Thursday March 26, from 8:30am until 7pm.
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3/23/20
Donations of food and hygiene items will gladly be accepted Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, from 9:30 – 12:30 at our downtown location: 863 3rd Ave North.
Our top needs right now: Pasta, Rice, Cereal, Whole Milk
If you are unable to come by during these times, please email fooddrive@stpetersburgfreeclinic.org to arrange an alternate time. If you have donations in a large volume please call prior to drop off so we can make sure there is ample support to unload your donation.
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3/21/20
New Temporary We Help Food Pantry Hours:
Monday: 8:30am – 3:00pm
Tuesday: 8:30am – 3:00pm
Thursday: 8:30am – 7:30pm
The We Help Services Food Pantry is committed to remaining open during this unprecedented health crisis. For everyone’s health and safety, we are offering pre-bagged items in an expedited manner via an outdoor mobile distribution plan (for those in cars and those on foot or bicycle). No waiting room, and no long waits. We are spacing out clients to allow appropriate distancing and ensuring the safety of all involved.
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3/18/2020
We’re Open!
Our We Help Services pantry continues to provide food to our neighbors in need. We are offering pre-bagged items in an expedited manner. No waiting room, and no long waits. We are spacing out clients to allow appropriate distancing, and working to eliminate wait times. We will continue our operations as long as we are able.
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3/17/2020
As the days pass, we continue to see more cases of COVID-19 in the U.S., in Florida and in our surrounding community. The St. Petersburg Free Clinic remains open and operational, helping our neighbors in need at this difficult time. We are thankful for the incredible dedication of our staff, volunteers and generous donors who are already responding to our need to be flexible and responsive in this unprecedented time.
Here’s how we are currently meeting needs, amid necessary shifts in our operational procedures:
Increasing purchase of bulk food for pennies on the dollar to ensure we have a consistent supply as families’ needs increase. We recognize that with children out of school and employees in various industries facing disruption to their work schedules and income, we must be prepared for increased demand.
As many of our volunteer medical professionals are being deployed to critical care units in hospitals and are unable to continue their work with us at this time, our Health Center is stepping up prescription refills to ensure clients have a 30- to 45-day supply and exploring telehealth consultation options to meet clients’ needs while onsite visits are being reduced.
Our Health Education classes will be held virtually, as opposed to live in our Health Education Center. We’re updating our curriculum for the weeks ahead to include more information and guidance on COVID-19, as well as courses that are particularly applicable at this time. For example, topics like “how to make a meal with what’s already in your pantry,” will be added to the schedule. Our cooking and wellness videos can be found on YouTube.
We are in touch with Pinellas County Schools, community partners, volunteers, and each of you about these shifts in programs and how we will continue to serve our clients under rapidly changing circumstances.
You can help ensure that we are able to continue to serve our neighbors in need at this critical time. Further, your support now can make sure that, when COVID-19 is contained but our clients continue to feel the longer-term effects of this crisis, we are prepared to meet their ongoing needs. You can donate HERE.
We will continue to provide updates as to our evolving response on our website. If you wish to help, please consider a donation to support our efforts. We are deeply grateful for your commitment to our mission.
With gratitude,
Jennifer Yeagley
Chief Executive Officer
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3/13/2020
Our leadership team is in close communication with local medical professionals and public health officials about COVID-19 in Florida. Additionally, we are continually monitoring the actions and recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
We are working diligently to monitor the latest guidelines from trusted organizations. We’re continuing to take actions to minimize the risks to volunteers, staff and clients.
St. Petersburg Free Clinic remains open at this time and is committed to serving our neighbors in need during this challenging time.
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