The St. Petersburg Free Clinic: Serve People. Feed Compassion. 

Founded in 1970, the St. Petersburg Free Clinic (SPFC) began as a free walk-in health clinic dedicated to serving low-income and underserved populations in Pinellas County, Florida. Over the years, SPFC has expanded its mission to offer programs that address a broader range of Social Determinants of Health, aiming to reduce health disparities and improve overall health outcomes for the communities it serves. SPFC offers a variety of programs and services to support health holistically by providing assistance with food and hygiene, transportation, utility bill assistance, housing, health education, and prescription medications. 

One of the key components of SPFC’s efforts is the Jared S. Hechtkopf Community Food Bank.  Established in 1980, it has grown to be the largest food bank in Pinellas County, Florida. The Community Food Bank plays a crucial role in combating food insecurity. In 2021 alone, SPFC distributed over 20 million pounds of food through this network and continues to provide 1.5 million meals each month across Pinellas County. The food bank partners with more than 50 local Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to deliver a variety of food products, including produce, fresh meat, dairy, and shelf-stable items throughout Pinellas County. Among these partnerships is SPFC’s We Help FRESH food pantry, which provides healthy food to an average of 19,000 individuals each month through their 3 locations. Community members can search for nearby food banks on SPFC’s website by entering their zip code into the Find Food Map. 

This year SPFC has partnered with the John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital to address food insecurity in the community, providing food as medicine for hospital staff, patients, and their families. The initiative began as a modest produce market during Nutrition Month and quickly expanded into a weekly food pantry on the hospital campus offering fresh produce, shelf-stable food products, meats, and dairy products. 

GA Foods: Nourishment. Delivered.  

Founded in 1973, GA Foods has been a leading provider of nutritious home-delivered meal solutions for more than 50 years. GA Foods is proud to partner with SPFC to address food insecurity at the local level. This year alone, GA Foods has contributed $107,000 worth of frozen meals, pantry boxes, and shelf-stable food products to support SPFC’s mission.  

The collaboration between GA Foods and SPFC is grounded in the recognition of the profound impact that access to nutritious food has on overall health and well-being, and the importance of bridging the gap in access to healthy foods within communities. GA Foods brings extensive experience in large-scale meal production and distribution to the table, ensuring that the food provided through this partnership is not only plentiful but also of high nutritional quality.  

The Impact of the SPFC and GA Foods Partnership 

1. Enhanced Food Distribution 

The partnership between SPFC and GA Foods significantly enhances food distribution efforts. By integrating GA Foods’ scalable meal distribution expertise with SPFC’s extensive network of local CBOs, the partnership ensures that nutritious food reaches those who need it most. This synergy improves the efficiency and effectiveness of food distribution, helping to address the immediate needs of the Pinellas County community. 

2. Focus on Nutritional Quality 

A cornerstone of this collaboration is the emphasis on providing high-quality, nutritious food. GA Foods’ commitment to nutrition complements SPFC’s mission, ensuring that the food distributed is both healthy and sustainable. This focus on nutritional quality supports the overall health and well-being of individuals and families receiving assistance. 

3. Strengthening Local Food Systems 

The partnership also supports and strengthens local food systems. By working with local producers and community organizations, SPFC and GA Foods contribute to building resilient, self-sufficient food networks. This approach not only enhances food access but also supports local economies and promotes sustainability. 

The Importance of a Systemic Response 

Addressing food insecurity requires more than just short-term relief; it demands a systemic, collaborative approach that includes both immediate aid and long-term solutions. Here’s why it’s crucial to tackle this issue comprehensively: 

1. Strengthening Social Safety Nets

Expanding programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and increasing funding for food banks are essential. Ensuring that these safety nets are robust enough to handle crises will help mitigate the impacts of future shocks. 

2. Promoting Food Justice

Food justice involves addressing the root causes of food insecurity, such as poverty, inequality, and systemic racism. This means investing in community-led solutions and supporting local food systems that empower marginalized communities to have control over their food sources. 

3. Improving Food Distribution

Enhancing food distribution networks to reduce waste and increase efficiency can ensure that more people receive the help they need. Innovations in technology and logistics can play a key role in streamlining these processes. 

How You Can Support SPFC’s Mission 

SPFC continues to make a significant impact, but there are ways individuals can enhance the value that the organization brings to the Pinellas County community: 

• Donate to SPFC: Financial contributions to SPFC can help expand their programs, providing nutritious food, medicine, healthcare, and social support to more people in need. Your support can amplify their efforts and make a tangible difference.  

• Volunteer: Consider volunteering with SPFC, or with local food banks or community organizations that collaborate with SPFC. Your time and effort can directly benefit those struggling with food insecurity. 

• Support Program Needs: Currently SPFC’s most pressing needs are diapers and period products. 96% of families who visit the We Help FRESH Pantry with children ages 0 -3 need diaper packs.  

Donations are accepted at the Skyway Business Center location Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at 2392 31st Street South, St. Pete, FL 33712. 

For questions and to coordinate donation delivery, please email: communications@thespfc.org