Impact
Five ways to give back and get involved in St. Pete
If you’re searching for a way to give back, the Catalyst’s Impact Connector is here to help. Each week, we feature five organizations in the Tampa Bay area that need your input, whether that’s time, talent, items, funding or simply awareness. We’re certain you’ll find something here that matches your interests and will positively impact the community.
Join the SPCA Pet Walk
SPCA Tampa Bay’s 34th Annual Pet Walk will be held Saturday, March 29 at two locations: North Straub Park in St. Petersburg and Largo Central Park in Largo.
The community can join in by signing up to become a walker at PetWalk.org and forming a Pet Walk team with family and friends to help make a difference in the lives of homeless pets and wildlife in SPCA Tampa Bay’s care. It is free to register for Pet Walk, and all walkers who raise $25 or more will receive an exclusive walker T-shirt and will be eligible for additional prizes.
Pet Walk is a community party that celebrates the vital funds raised by the community leading up to the event. In addition to the walk itself, there will be awards and recognition for top fundraisers and teams, pet products from vendors, local food trucks and two walk courses of varying lengths.
Volunteer with Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver more than food; they’re the deliverers of hope. They’re concerned about their senior neighbors for whom a daily meal would otherwise be unavailable without the help of their “other family” – their volunteers.
All it takes is one to two hours, once week at lunchtime, delivering to a handful of homebound folks from a site in your Pinellas County neighborhood. Can’t make a regular commitment? Neighborly Care Network will work with your schedule!
Complete the online application to get started: https://www.volgistics.com/appform/230724921
There are 11 locations throughout Pinellas County to choose from, with urgent needs in St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park and Seminole.
Boys and Girls Clubs’ New York Yankees Luncheon
Join the New York Yankees Luncheon, benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay, March 14 for an afternoon filled with baseball stories and an opportunity to make an impact on local youth.
This event will feature the entire New York Yankees team, an autograph session, guest speakers and lunch, with all funds to support area kids and teens served by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay. Sponsorships and tickets are available online here.
Help your neighbors get back on their feet
Volunteers are needed to support the Homeless Empowerment Program, a nonprofit with a mission to provide homeless and low-income individuals and families, including veterans, with housing, food, clothing and support services necessary to obtain self-sufficiency and improved quality of life.
In 2023, 87% of the families and 82% of the veterans exiting HEP programs did not return to homelessness. Opportunities exist in areas of kitchen service, maintenance, office work and gardening.
For more info, contact Edie Minton at 727-442-9041 ext. 107 or EdieM@HEPempowers.org.
Sign up to clean up the beach
Celebrate Earth Week with the Institute of Strategic Policy Solutions (ISPS) and Keep Pinellas Beautiful by joining a community cleanup at Gandy Beach April 25 from 9-11:30 a.m. Volunteers are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection and weather-appropriate clothing. Cleanup supplies will be provided, including gloves, trash bags, pickers, sunscreen, bug spray and hand sanitizer.
This is a great opportunity for students seeking volunteer hours for scholarships and Tampa Bay residents seeking to make a positive impact in their community. Get more info and register online here.
By engaging in these five impactful ways to give back, we can empower our communities and contribute to a more compassionate society. If your organization is seeking volunteers, donations or awareness, click here to submit your opportunity. We’ll get the word out to our readers.
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Dan Hester
March 9, 2025at8:32 am
The SPCA Tampa Bay is a money hungry animal shelter which had the highest rate of killing animals in all of Tampa Bay. They are sitting on a golden egg with over $10 million dollars in cash and marketable securities.
The CEO,Marth Boden is huge supporter of puppy mills. She has been shunned by every animal welfare organization because of her support for puppy mills.
Warren Patitz
March 8, 2025at5:59 pm
This is a great opportunity to support and perpetuate a financially deep pocketed organization that opted out of the low cost spay neuter voucher program and to assure a $180k annual salary for its CEO.
Better mileage for your donor dollar is to donate to programs offering low cost sterilization opportunities.
https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=rescue%20pink