We are working hard to ensure that you, our members, have the support and resources you need during the COVID-19. Many of our member agencies have adjusted their regular operations to meet the needs of the current situation. We have tried to include all information that has been passed on to us below, so that we are all informed of changes in community services. Please forward this site to anyone in your network that may benefit.
Also, please reach out with any questions or concerns, as we are here to help and support you all as we navigate through this together. If you would like us to include an update from your agency, please contact karen.varga-sinka@networktoendhunger.org.
We invite you to join us in our immediate efforts to ensure everyone has access to food while our communities respond to the effects of COVID-19. With school and congregate meal site closures, the need for food is even greater than ever before. When you donate to the Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger, your generosity is immediately put to work equipping our tri-county area (Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties) members and neighbors with the support and resources needed during this time of uncertainty. Your donations will help us continue our efforts through program development and by equipping our members with the essential tools they need. Thank you for considering a contribution to our mission to end hunger.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Information and Resources: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/
COVID Community Resources Handout Pinellas
Call Center: 1-866-799-6121 available M-F, 8am-midnight
Email: COVID-19@flhealth.gov your questions
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES
FNS Response to COVID-19: https://www.fns.usda.gov/disaster/pandemic/covid-19
Florida COVID-19 Waivers and Flexibilities: The USDA has already begun to issue waivers to ease program operations and protect the health of participants. An updated summary of waivers is below. Updated information can be found at https://www.fns.usda.gov/disaster/pandemic/covid-19/florida#wic.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
| Date | Request | Status |
| 3/23/2020 | Extended Certification Periods; Waive Periodic Reporting (Received: 3/21/2020) | Approved |
| 3/30/2020 | Emergency Allotments to Current SNAP Households (Received: 3/27/2020) | Approved |
Child Nutrition Programs
| Date | Request | Status |
| 3/13/2020 | Summer Meals Non-congregate Feeding | Approved |
| 3/20/2020 | Meal Times | Nationwide Waiver |
| 3/20/2020 | Non-congregate Feeding | Nationwide Waiver |
| 3/20/2020 | Afterschool Activity | Nationwide Waiver |
| 3/25/2020 | Nationwide Meal Pattern Waiver | State Selected Option |
| 3/25/2020 | Nationwide Parent/Guardian Meal Pickup Waiver | State Selected Option |
| 3/25/2020 | Nationwide Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Data Waiver | State Selected Option |
| 3/25/2020 | Nationwide Waivers of Child Nutrition Monitoring | State Selected Option |
| 3/29/2020 | Area Eligibility SFSP/SSO | Approved |
| 4/1/2020 | 60 Day Reporting Waiver | Nationwide Waiver |
USDA Foods Programs
| Date | Request | Status |
| No outstanding waivers at this time. |
WIC Program
| Date | Request | Status |
| 3/21/2020 | Physical Presence Waiver (includes lab work) | Approved |
| 3/26/2020 | Food Package Substitution Waiver | Approved |
| 3/26/2020 | Medical Documentation Waiver | Approved |
| 3/30/2020 | Remote Benefit Issuance Waiver | Approved |
| 3/30/2020 | Separation of Duties | FNS Response |
SNAP: The Food Assistance Program helps people with low-income buy healthy food. A food assistance household is normally a group of people who live together and buy food and cook meals together. If your household passes the Food Assistance Program’s eligibility rules, the amount of food assistance benefits you get depends on the number of people in your household and how much money is left after certain expenses are subtracted. Daystar Life Center in St. Petersburg is able to provide assistance signing up. Learn more.
Gov. DeSantis, DCF waivev work requirements for ‘food stamps’
The Florida Department of Children and Families waived work requirements for two assistance programs providing food and shelter. Following passage of Families First Coronavirus Act, Gov. Ron DeSantis requested work requirements be set aside to allow more participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. SNAP provides monthly supplements to families to purchase nutritious foods. Recipients ages 16 to 59 are typically required to register for work, participate in SNAP training and enforcement, take a suitable job if offered and not reduce work hours to less than 20 hours a week. The state also normally has work requirements in place for individuals benefitting from TANF. Those vary by situation. For example, a single parent is required to work at least 30 hours a week while a couple receiving no child care subsidy must work a combined 35 hours a week between both parents. Click here to ready more.
No Kid Hungry Coronavirus Grant Request
The coronavirus is closing schools and workplaces nationwide. Vulnerable children are losing the school meals they depend on, and low-income families are struggling with lost wages. No Kid Hungry is offering emergency grants to support local school districts and nonprofit organizations in their efforts to ensure kids get the nutritious food they need.
This grant request is specifically for school districts and community organizations to submit an inquiry for grants to support nutrition programs in their communities. No Kid Hungry is also in the process of developing a separate database to help families and individuals find help in their communities; we will provide a link here once that is ready.
Visit their website to get started https://www.nokidhungry.org/coronavirus-grant-request.
National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging: The NRCNA is supporting the Administration for Community Living (ACL) in disseminating information on COVID-19 to aging and nutrition professionals as we all work to confront this pandemic. New information and resources have been added to ACL’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage here. You can also access newly added materials on the NRCNA’s COVID-19 and Emergency Management webpage here, including a Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP) one-pager, an overview of COVID-19 suggestions for senior nutrition programs and more. https://nutritionandaging.org/covid-19/
Feeding Tampa Bay Mobile Pantries: If you are in need of food, come to one of FTB’s Mobile Pantry events to pick up a pre-packaged box of groceries, free of charge. They do not require ID, papers, or pre-screening to obtain food at a Mobile Pantry. To honor social distancing regulations, their mobile pantries are transitioning to a drive-thru model to eliminate crowds and minimize contact. Please note, due to rapidly changing circumstances during this time, mobile pantries can be cancelled without much notice. Please check the schedule daily to ensure operations are running as planned.
Florida families on food stamps will temporarily receive more money-Update 4/1/20: Florida’s Department of Children and Families announced Wednesday it has followed through with the governor’s directive to increase SNAP benefits for all families to the maximum allowed by household size. The original story can be read here.
- 1 person – $194
- 2 people – $355
- 3 people – $509
- 4 people – $646
- 5 people – $768
- 6 people – $921
- 7 people – $1,018
- 8 people – $1,164
- Each Additional Person – +$146
Humana: As you continue serving your community during the COVID-19 spread, we have developed informational flyers and guides offering tips, tools and support to ensure the safety and well-being of your staff, volunteers and the individuals you serve. Resources are available at http://populationhealth.humana.com/resources/.
Non-Profit Leadership Center Grant Writing Webinar in Times of Crisis: As your nonprofit organization works to mitigate revenue loss from canceled fundraising events and individual donation fluctuations, now is the time to improve and move your grant-seeking opportunities forward. Join us this Thursday (4/9) with grant writing expert Jule’ Colvin from Pathways To Growth to learn strategies for grant writing during a crisis and potential funding opportunities. secure your FREE seat now.
211 needs your information: Our top need requests coming into our 211 contact center from from individuals and families continue to increase for financial assistance for rent and utilities, unemployment information, emotional support and other general information regarding COVID 19. You can visit our 211 Counts dashboard for daily updates and to monitor trends in need. For information about what’s available on our 211 Counts dashboard, you can view our 1 minute video for an overview by clicking here. Thank you for taking a brief moment to review this information and for your commitment to our community! www.211tampabay.org
FDACS and UF/IFAS: Your assistance is needed with creating a list of farms, businesses, and online markets selling Florida-grown food directly to final consumers. The intention is to build a directory of sellers who are moving Florida-grown foods to consumers during the market disruptions caused by COVID-19. The list may include farms selling directly to consumers, online farmers markets, community food hubs, or food distributors who now are selling directly to households. An online form has been created to collect this information. The information submitted through this form will be made public to help consumers find local and online options for purchasing Florida-grown food. It may also help farms identify additional market outlets. Please circulate the link to the form as appropriate: https://forms.gle/s6Hwfy8miH7VfN3G7
Community Foundation of Tampa Bay: Our Community Impact team has developed a Nonprofit Needs Request Form, so that we can systematically catalog needs relayed to us by our community nonprofit partners. The form is now accessible on the front page of our website or at https://cftampabay.org/nonprofitneed/. This is not a competitive grant process. It is an innovative way to share specific needs with us, our fundholders (who granted over $20 million to nonprofits last fiscal year) as well as other philanthropists in the Tampa Bay community. If your submitted request is matched with a donation, we will notify you and transmit funds to address your request as quickly as possible. If you have any technical questions about the process, please contact Jessica Scites at jscites@cftampabay.org. Thank you for all your hard work in the Tampa Bay Community during this crisis. Stay safe and healthy during this difficult time.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
Feeding Sites (this list does not reflect changes due to COVID-19): Hillsborough County
Schools Grab-and-Go Feeding Sites: From March 30th through May 1st, Hillsborough Schools will establish Grab-and-Go feeding sites to ensure that students have accessibility to nutritious meals. Our Student Nutrition Services Department has identified 147 locations to provide meals – breakfast and lunch – at no cost to children 18 years and under.
FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF THE 147 LOCATIONS PLEASE VISIT https://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/doc/2661/superintendents-office/resources/coronavirusgrabngo/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=coronavirus.
Each location will start serving food to those 18 years old and under on Monday, March 30, at 9 a.m. and remain open until 1 p.m. daily. We encourage parents and caregivers to drive to our locations. We will also be accepting walk-ups. The food will be distributed directly from our school buses which will be set up in the designated car line at the designated schools.
In order to keep record of food distribution between March 23 and May 1, parents/guardians are encouraged to go to the Grab and Go school location where their child is enrolled, if possible. A child does not have to be present, however parents are asked to know their child’s student number. Staff will verify that the child is enrolled. If a parent has children at multiple schools or arrives at a school other than the one where their child is enrolled, staff members will take their child’s student number and confirm with their enrolled school. Meals can be picked up once a day between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
HART to offer free rides for youth 18 and under
Beginning Monday, March 23, HART will offer free rides to students with a school ID or HART Youth ID on regular routes that service Hillsborough County Schools. Find out more on www.goHART.org
Breakspot Meal Sites
The following Breakspot Meal Sites will be open to children 18 and under beginning March 23. Sites will serve Monday-Friday. Each child will receive a free to-go meal for today and breakfast for tomorrow. See below for a list of participating sites.
Town N’ Country Boys & Girls Club | 10-11am
6039 Hanley Rd, Tampa, FL 33634
Dover Boys & Girls Club | 10-11am
2820 Gallagher Rd, Dover, FL 33527
Feeding Tampa Bay | 11am-12pm
4702 Transport Drive bldg 6 Tampa FL 33605
Carey Family of Brandon Boys & Girls Club | 12-1pm
510 E Sadie St, Brandon, FL 33510
Vinik Boys & Girls Club | 2-3pm
7605 Destin Dr, Tampa, FL 33619
Trinity Cafe, Busch Blvd | 4-5pm
2202 E Busch Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612
Trinity Cafe, Nebraska Ave | 4-5pm
2801 N. Nebraska Ave. Tampa, FL 33602
Free Remote Tax Prep Assistance
Hillsborough County Extension will be offering free tax prep assistance for Hillsborough County residents who can connect via web meeting. During the web meeting, tax filers will be given access to tax filing software and receive one-on-one assistance from IRS trained and certified volunteers.
Appointments for the free service are required and may be made for the following times:
Tues – Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.
This service will be available starting April 7, 2020.
Please note the due date for filing tax returns and making tax payments is extended from April 15 to July 15. File your request for a tax extension by July 15 to extend your tax deadline to October 15, 2020.
Appointments must be made in advance. For more information, contact Denise Kantak, 813-744-5519 ext. 54141 or Kantakd@HCFLGov.net
Hillsborough County Aging Services:
- All congregate meal sites received the directive to close the centers March 13-April 13th
- The department is facilitating a 14 day Grab N Go style of frozen meals to registered meal clients at 10 congregate dining centers co-located in leased spaces
- The department coordinated with the meal delivery vendor to provide temporary home delivered meals to registered meal clients that expressed a need for food at the 16 county owned congregate meal locations
- The Nutrition & Wellness section initiated a weekly telephone reassurance/meal confirmation/wellness calls that started today for all congregate clients
- The department will host a virtual wellness program that offers health and nutrition updates, educational information, and activities similar to what was offered in the centers. Sessions in English and Spanish will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. English begins at 11:45 a.m., and Spanish at 1 p.m.
- The department is responding to community residents with food needs & linking the seniors to available community resources or enrolling seniors that meet the department’s eligibility requirements for the meal program
United Food Bank of Plant City: UFBPC is in need of food donations. More than 50% increase in clients, as many have been asked to stay home without pay. They are also offering SNAP and FAFSA assistance for those who need help registering or recertifying. Please visit https://ufbpc.org/ to learn more.
Where the Love Grows: Transitioning from in person cooking classes to remote, including training families how to online shop for groceries.
TAMPA METROPOLITAN AREA YMCA Veggie Van: We don’t currently publish our locations; however, we instead ask that individuals in need of help reach out to us individually so that can provide them with the stop closest to them. We also want to ensure that we are able to meet the increased needs. We are currently stopping in Lacoochee, Sulphur Springs, Tampa Height, Wimauma, Plant City and Dover. We have currently suspended any costs and sign up requirements and the program will be free to those who need it. For organizations looking to post the Veggie Van as a resource we are asking them to direct individuals to contact us for more information. They can contact Lauren Reyes 813.224.9622 ext. 1259 or send a message to us on the Veggie Van Facebook page. We have seen the need increase significantly and we are handling requests this way to have a better control on the crowds. www.tampaymca.org
Beth-El Farmworker Ministry : Please note that we have made some changes to our operations to accommodate both: serving the community and keeping everyone safe. FOOD DISTRIBUTION – Tuesday, Starts at 8am. We will be distributing grocery bags outdoors from 8am until supplies last. Clients over the age of 60 will have priority. TIENDITA FASHION & HOME- Both Tienditas will be closed until further notice. MAIN BUILDING – LIMITED TO NO ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC- Call us at 813-633-1548 before coming, if you need to pick -up an emergency food bag, are homebound, isolated, quarantined, know of anyone does not have access to food. VOLUNTEERS – FOOD PANTRY ONLY- As many of our volunteers are taking measures to stay healthy we are experiencing a shortage of help. We encourage your youth group to consider volunteering to bag groceries during spring break. However, we want to know ahead of time if you are planning to come to the mission so that we are prepared to receive you. Please call 813-633-1548 x. 228 to schedule your visit. We are not scheduling volunteers for the Tienditas and sorting clothes. FOOD DONATIONS & FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS ONLY- We will NOT be receiving or picking up donations of clothing and household items until further notice. DENTAL CLINIC – WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. For more information please visit our website at www.beth-el.org.
ECHO Brandon: In the next few weeks, ECHO (Emergency Care Help Organization) will only be providing food. Their clothing collection and distribution has been suspended. ECHO will be distributing food from 8:30-12:30 Monday-Friday. Both locations are open: 507 North Parsons Brandon, FL 33510 and 7807 Capitano Street Riverview, FL 33578. All clothing donations/distribution has been suspended. Families can access food 1 x per week, as long as needed. In addition, ECHO is partnering with the local church community. If congregations have families in need, they are invited to pick up on their behalf and deliver accordingly. All churches must first call ECHO 813-685-0935 and check in with Savanna.
Feeding Tampa Bay: Feeding Tampa Bay has taken the following measures to assist our neighbors: increasing mobile pantry distributions, sourcing hygiene and cleaning products for distribution at pantries and grocery stores, expanding to-go meals for distribution to seniors and others who need to avoid group dining and pantries, and ramping up extra support for children receiving food through their school pantry or after school meal program.
Hillsborough for Kids Bags: Located in East Hillsborough County, we are serving everyday 12-3:30pm. We are seeing 2 1/2 times the need in our area. 35% are coming in due to being out of work without pay. 25% are coming in because they do not know where to send their kids. Please contact Mary Heysek (813) 763-4660 for more information.
Metropolitan Ministries: MetMin has transitioned from congregate meals to grab and go, as well as drive through. Their leadership is also working on collecting information for the Hillsborough County Web Emergency Operations Center.
PASCO COUNTY
Feeding Sites (this list does not reflect changes due to COVID-19): Pasco County
School Grab and Go Food Locations: Pasco County Schools will expand their pre-packaged meal distribution from seven to 25 feeding sites and will now only be serving on Tuesdays, starting March 31st between 11am to 1pm. They are also using 16 school buses to deliver food to kids at the bus stops. Buses will be at each site for approximately 10 minutes, students are encouraged to arrive early. However, TUESDAY is the ONLY day they will be providing services. Students can pick up a bag of food with breakfast and lunch for 5 days. Feeding sites and routes listed above.
Breakspot Meal Sites
Lacoochee Boys & Girls Club | 10-11am
38724 Mudcat Grant Blvd, Lacoochee, FL 33537
Meal Sites for Drive-Thru Meals to help Pasco County Families
Tuesday: Beacon Community Church 9025 Star Trail New Port Richey, FL 34654 Meals served 5:30-6:30 PM https://freemealsbe; Volunteer Way 8061 Congress St Port Richey, FL 34668 Meals served 5:30-6:30 PM https://freemealvolunteerway.eventbrite.com
Wednesday: Holiday Lake Estates Civic Center 3624 Atlantis Drive Holiday, FL 34691 Meals served 5:30 – 6:30 PM https://freemealsholiday.eventbrite.com; First United Methodist Church 5901 Indiana Ave New Port Richey, FL 34652 Meals served 5:00 – 6:00 PM https://freemealsfumcnpr.eventbrite.com; The Crossroads Church 7975 River Ridge Blvd New Port Richey, FL 34654 Meals served 5:30- 6:30 PM https://freemealscrossroads.eventbrite.com
Thursday: Joining Hands Mission Church / Asbury United Methodist Church 4204 Thys Road New Port Richey, FL 34653 Meals served 5:30-6:30 PM https://freemealsjoininghandsthursday.eventbrite.com
Saturday: Joining Hands Mission Church / Asbury United Methodist Church 4204 Thys Road New Port Richey, FL 34653 5:00 – 6:00 PM https://freemealsjoininghandssaturday.eventbrite.com
Food Donation Drop Off Sites: Food items wanted: Cereal, Pop Tarts, Instant Oatmeal, Granola Bars, Bread, Peanut butter, Jelly, Soup, Mac n Cheese, Canned Pasta, Cheese & Crackers. Day Spring Academy 8330 Civic Drive Port Richey, FL Drop off at office Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4:30 pm; Beacon Community Church 9025 Star Trail New Port Richey, FL Drop off at office Monday – Thursday, 9 am – 12 pm; Volunteer Way 8061 Congress St Port Richey, FL 34668 Drop off at office Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 12 pm; Holiday Lake Estates Civic Center 3624 Atlantis Drive Holiday, FL 34691 Drop off at office Monday – Friday 10am – 4 pm; One Community Now Call 727-858-6117 to arrange for drop off or pick up at other times and locations.
Volunteer Opportunities: Crossroads Church – Wednesday Nights Serving Meals https://signup.com/go/iLvzJNJ; Holiday Lake Estates – Wednesday Nights Serving Meals https://signup.com/go/vegLHhs; Beacon Community Church – Tuesday Night Serving Meals https://signup.com/go/mmMktyq; Volunteer Way – Tuesday Night Serving Meals https://signup.com/go/ZkvBciE; They also have a comprehensive list of resources on their website under Program, under families, community resources. https://onecommunitynow.com/services/community-resources/.
The Volunteer Way: The Volunteer Way Food Bank is operating a “Drive-thru” system Monday – Thursday, 8am-10am to protect consumers and staff. The Volunteer Way is also a Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services “Summer BreakSpot” offering food Tuesdays only from 5:30-6:30 pm for children 18 and under. Children accompanied by an adult(s) will receive five meals plus beverages. www.thevolunteerway.org
Good Samaritan Health Clinic of Pasco: We continue operating our normal hours (Monday-Thursday 10am-5pm) to serve Pasco County’s medically uninsured, limited-income residents. Applications for new patients are accepted Monday-Thursday from 10am-12noon and 1pm-2:30pm only. Download the application for new patients. We are offering telemedicine for existing patients only on a case-by-case basis. New patients can only be seen in-person.
Metropolitan Ministries: We are committed to continue to serve our most vulnerable populations. We are also doing our part in helping to reduce the spread of the coronavirus by adhering to the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our local, state, and national government leaders.
- Emergency Food Boxes: Family Support Center located at 3214 US HWY 19 N. Holiday, FL 34691 has moved to a drive-up service model, 10 am – 2 pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We are providing food boxes to all families, seniors and those in need.
- Emergency Shelter Information: We are temporarily not able to accept walk-ins for transitional housing. If you have questions or need to apply, please contact (727) 756-1955 or email at Intakedocs@metromin.org. You can also download the application on our website at metromin.org, on home page, clicking on Our Response COVID-19 then, Learn More. Scroll down to Emergency Shelter Information, then to download. It is important you include first and last name, working phone number, email address and best time to contact you. Please also include applying to Pasco.
- Financial Assistance: The financial assistance form should be completed online by going to ly/MetroMinGetHelp. Please submit this online form for a future prevention assistance appointment. This form can be used for any questions about utilities (water, electric) or rent.
Public Defender Mobile Medical Unit: The Pasco Public Defender Mobile Medical Unit is a medical office on wheels. The mobile medical unit is pleased to introduce telehealth visits, as part of our ongoing efforts to safely provide medical care while COVID-19 is circulating. Telehealth visits will allow us to provide medical care to patients remotely. It is our hope that this will help ensure continuity of care for patients and provide convenience to individuals who are now fully at home under these unfortunate circumstances. Please call (727) 324-7823, Mon-Fri 8:00-3:30 PM. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and suspect that you may have COVID-19, contact the Fl Dept of Health Call Center available 24/7 at (866) 779-6121. https://www.pascocountyfl.net/1645/Mobile-Medical-Unit
One Community Now- Pack A Sack: One Community Now has set up 7 meal drive thru sites where we are giving brown bag food plus a bag of groceries and pack a sacks for the kids. Below are our serving sites, our need for donations and volunteer opportunities.
Pasco Public Defender Mobile Hot Showers: The Public Defender’s office provides mobile hot showers to Pasco County’s homeless. Our shower trailers have 2 air conditioned stalls offering total privacy, a changing area and a sink. One mobile shower is at a fixed location: Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County, 5652 Pine Street, New Port Richey. Our other shower unit travels to various sites throughout Pasco County. Please call for times and locations at (727) 324-7823. http://www.wearethehope.org/homeless_outreach.htm
Seniors in Service: TelePals
TelePals is a great resource for our seniors in providing them telephone reassurance safely – and it’s free! If you need a friend and see the value of receiving a call for the purpose of companionship and would like a compassionate person to check in on your well-being, this is the opportunity you have been waiting for! If you enjoy, value and love our seniors, if you love listening to their great stories or heartfelt advice, if you love engaging in conversation and knowing that you are bring happiness to a senior simply by listening and caring on the phone – this may be the volunteer opportunity you’ve been waiting for! Please go to www.TelePalNow.org to apply to be a TelePal (A person who makes a phone call) or a TeleClient (A person who receives a call). This service provides telephone reassurance to isolated and lonely seniors and a non-invasive well-check from a mature, compassionate and responsible person that just wants to listen and love. All safety concerns are directed back to Seniors in Service Staff. Training, NSOPW background check and monthly crosschecks is requires for all participants.
Currently serving Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. Must be 18 years of age or older.
The Thomas Promise Foundation: Thomas Promise Foundation reports a good supply of food to share from recent food drives and plenty of volunteers to distribute the food at this time. They are coordinating with Pasco Schools and with their current Operation Backpack coordinators to assist with getting food to children in need. They will be posting updates on their Facebook page. They primarily serve East Pasco. https://www.thethomaspromise.org/
Joining Hands Mission Church: We are still doing the breakfast on Sunday morning from 8:30 am to 9:45 am. Located at 4204 Thys Road, New Port Richey.
St Vincent de Paul Our Lady Queen of Peace Food Pantry: We are open for food distribution only on Thursday 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm and Friday 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. Our address 5320 Shaw St, New Port Richey, Florida 34652
PINELLAS COUNTY
View the COVID Community Resources Guide_Pinellas.
Feeding Sites (this list reflects any changes due to COVID-19 as of 4/8/20): https://networktoendhunger.org/findfood/pinellasprograms/
School Grab and Go Food Locations: Schools: The PCS Food and Nutrition Team will be distributing free meals at their schools for Pinellas County Schools students ages 18 and younger. Each location will serve meals through May 1. Lunch and breakfast will be packed in a single bag. Child/Teen must be present to receive meals. Meals will be served as ‘Drive-Thru” at the Car/Bus circle and for ‘Walkers’ near the main entrance of school. www.pcsb.org/coronavirus
No distribution on Friday, April 10 – Good Friday, day off for students.
Monday, April 13 – Friday, May 1
All schools will distribute Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.;
two-days-worth of meals per distribution day (2 breakfasts and 2 lunches)
| Anona ElementaryAzalea MiddleBay Point ElementaryClearwater IntermediateDunedin MiddleEisenhower ElementaryFairmount Park ElementaryGarrison-Jones ElementaryGulfport ElementaryHigh Point ElementaryJohn Hopkins Middle | Kings Highway ElementaryLargo MiddleMK Rawlings ElementaryMcMullen Booth ElementaryNew Heights ElementaryNorth Shore ElementaryOak Grove MiddleSawgrass Lake ElementarySouthern Oak ElementaryTarpon Springs Elementary |
If you are not able to go to one of the school sites listed above, other local food providers throughout the county are offering free, nutritious meals for our students. A complete list of sites throughout our community can be found at: https://211tampabay.org/home/food-and-meals/.
BreakSpot Grab & Go Meal Sites: BreakSpot Grab & Go Meals for Kids ensure children receive a free meal for today and breakfast for tomorrow. Boys & Girls Club sites will give out hot dinner meals. See schedule for days of the week and times. Click here for the most updated list of Breakspot Meal Sites.
ALPHA House of Pinellas County: We have suspended our outreach program until at least April 30th. We will accept calls for requests for diapers and formula and will leave it at the door at a designated time. Internally, we have been in a lockdown since last week. We are not allowing any visitors in the house and are limiting the time the residents are off property. We have been sanitizing every hour and all residents and staff have been updated on Covid-19. Currently all staff and residents are healthy and not showing any signs of the virus.
Beach Community Food Pantry is able to serve 150 families each week and maintains good stock of shelf stable goods. They are receiving lots of donations from the community. Their pantry is open 10am-12pm Monday and Wednesday, and Thursday from 5-7pm.
Beacon Street Ministries: BSM is in need of volunteers on Friday evenings. Please visit https://beaconstreetministries.org/ or call (727) 278-2285 to get started.
FEAST Food Pantry has an excess amount of volunteers and is willing to partner with organizations in need of volunteers near Palm Harbor. https://www.feastfoodpantry.com/
Learning Empowered: UMCM is now Learning Empowered and they are need of volunteers. Please visit https://www.learning-empowered.org/
Meals On Wheels 4 Kids: The Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger is proud to partner with the Juvenille Wellfare Board of Pinellas County, Pinelllas County Schools Food Nutrition Services and Transportation Departments, and Daystar Life Center to ensure children and teens have access to meals while schools are closed, in response to COVID-19. Together, TBNEH and their partners are delivering lunch time meals and groceries to children and their families in St. Petersburg. This program was developed to help serve those that have difficulty accessing the emergency meal sites and pantries.
Meals On Wheels St. Petersburg: Meals On Wheels St. Petersburg will continue to serve frozen meal packs (instead of a hot meal) to their recipients, with volunteers delivering a 5 day meal pack on Mondays. One July 13, volunteers will deliver a hot meal on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and a frozen meal on Mondays and Wednesdays for the non-delivery week days.
Neighborly Care: Neighborly is serving free meal packs for seniors, age 60 and older. Seniors should call 727-573-9444 to register and can pick up meal packs at these locations..
Northwood Presbyterian: Food Pantry open M-TH 9:00am – 1:00pm (modified from M-F 9a – 3p). Plenty of shelf stable food to serve community members. No restrictions just need to call first, leave food on park bench to respect social distancing. 2875 SR 580, Clearwater, 33761, 727-796-8090
Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center Board: Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Citizen Information Center (CIC) has been activated. If you need assistance, please contact the EOC Operations Section at 727-453-4362 or EOCOps@pinellascounty.org.
The Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger is gathering information from our members, and direct food providers, in Pinellas County to help inform decision makers on how best to allocate available resources in response to COVID-19. The information collected will be input into the Pinellas County Web Emergency Operations Center (WebEOC) board and will provide a full update of what organizations have/need in order to best respond to the communities needs at this time. Completing this form is voluntary, though we ask that you submit any information that you have available. To submit your response, please visit https://networktoendhunger.org/web-eoc-pinellas-county/.
RCS Food Bank: RCS is in need of volunteers. Please visit www.rcspinellas.org or call (727) 584-3528 to get started.
Salvation Army Clearwater: In need of shelf stable foods and volunteers. https://salvationarmyflorida.org/clearwater/
St. Petersburg Free Clinic: Drive through pantry operating times are Monday and Tuesday 8:30-3pm and Thursdays 8:30-7pm, and donations of food and hygiene items will gladly be accepted Mon, Tue, Thur 8:30-12:30, at their downtown location: 863 3rd Ave North. Their top needs right now: Pasta, Rice, Cereal, Whole Milk, Meat and Bread. 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 they can make sure there is ample support to unload your donation.
Tarpon Springs Shepard Center: The Shepard Center is currently packing plated meals into bags for take away. They are also handing out grocery boxes outside.
WIC: Effective 3/25/20, WIC clinics will process all clients by telephone. The only transactions that will be processed in person will be direct distribution of infant formula and breast pumps. In those instances a WIC staff person will take the items out and set them next to the client’s car. For the safety of our clients and our staff we will not allow any clients into a WIC clinic as of 3/25/20. We will assign staff to the outside of the WIC clinic to let them know about the changes and ask them to either call us or we can call them, whichever is preferred. Our customer service lines are operational. Clients that have questions can contact that number at 727-824-6913 or 727-824-6914.