Impact
Five ways to give back and get involved in St. Pete

If you’re searching for a way to give back to your community, 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.
Cold Night Shelters
Cold Night Shelters are pop-up shelters operating through Pinellas County when the “feels like” temperate dips below 40 degrees between Nov. 15 and March 15.
Help your neighbors in need by signing up to volunteer with or donating to Pinellas County’s Cold Night Shelters here: https://www.pinellashomeless.org/coldnightshelters
Glow in the Park
Lace up your sneakers and start your year on the right foot by running or walking the Fit City 5K & 1 Mile night race. The Glow in the Park race is happening Feb. 1 at the downtown waterfront and features fun glow activities for all ages.
The race was created to foster a healthier, more active community, encouraging residents to come together and promote health and wellness in St. Petersburg. Information regarding health and wellness opportunities from community vendors will be available.
Fine more info and registration at HealthyStPeteFL.com/FitCity.
Utility Assistance Program
The City of St. Petersburg’s Utility Assistance Program allows utility customers to make monthly donations through their utility bill to help others who are experiencing financial hardships with their utility costs. Collected funds are distributed through a network of social service agencies.
The city offers easy, automatic giving options:
- Utility Bill Round-Up: your bill is rounded up to the nearest dollar and the difference is donated. That comes to $0.99 or less per month and less than $12 per year.
- One-time donation of any amount.
- Monthly donations of any amount.
Customers who are interested in helping others in need by making one-time or monthly donations should fill out the form here.
Bark in the Park
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay will host its pet-friendly festival, Bark in the Park at 11:00 a.m. Feb. 8 at Curtis Hixon Park. The one-mile Walk for the Animals runs along the scenic downtown Tampa Riverwalk and includes a family- and pet-friendly festival featuring food, drinks, entertainment, vendors, a Kid Zone, activities and adoptable dogs.
Learn more and sign up here.
.
Join the Healthy Homes Community Coalition
Did you know that homes built before 1978 are likely to have lead-based paint, which is known to cause adverse health outcomes, especially in young children?
You can take action by educating yourself on lead paint safety and joining the Healthy Homes Community Coalition to become a lead safety advocate, and help spread the word about lead hazards.
The Healthy Homes Community Coalition community-led effort will assist the City of St. Petersburg and the Pinellas County Health Department in spreading the word about lead hazard education at local community events and trainings in the South St. Pete CRA. Join the kickoff meeting Thursday, Jan. 23 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Pinellas Technical College, 901 34th St. S. Learn more and register 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.
.
