Five ways to give back and make a difference 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.

Volunteers needed at 360 Eats

360 Eats is a nonprofit that rescues surplus food ingredients from distribution sites, grocery stores and farms/gardens then turn them into healthy meals that are passed out to communities for free. To accomplish this, the organization needs help filling four volunteer shifts each week:

1. Food pickup shifts from various food donors around Tampa Bay.
2. Sorting the rescued food that will be cooked.
3. Helping the chefs meal prep.
4. Serving the completed meals to the community on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

To sign up, contact Cameron Macleish at 727-480-9829 or email info@360eats.org.

Support Girls, Inc.

Support Girls, Inc. is a nonprofit committed to fueling the fire within all girls so they can change the world. Coming Dec. 6 is its “Celebrating Women in STEAM Luncheon.” This year, we the organization will host a panel featuring Ocea Wynn, City Administrator for the City of Tampa, Rocio Smith, Florida Market President at Achieva Credit Union, Dana Reina, Senior Manager at Cisco Solutions and Dr. Sowmya Viswanathan, Chief Physician Executive at Baycare Health Systems. The event will be held at 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact Cassie Montes at 727-544-6230 ext 110.

Help out at St. Pete Run Fest

St. Pete Run Fest is three days of festival fun from Nov. 15-17, including running events, The Rollin’ Oats Wellness Market and Café, post-race food, music and craft beer from local breweries. 

An army of volunteers is needed to help make the race successful. Roles include finish line set up, “Composting Crusaders,” VIP lounge helper, packet pick-up, gear check and more. See available roles and sign up at this link.

Give to the Tampa Bay Resiliency Fund

Hurricanes Milton and Helene hit Tampa Bay hard, flooding neighborhoods, damaging homes and closing roads. In the aftermath of these storms, the Tampa Bay Resiliency Fund is active and collecting donations. So far, the Fund has garnered over $430,000 in donations, which will be directed toward vital recovery efforts like housing, food, medical care and emotional support for those impacted.

While many in our communities still work to recover, the fund is actively providing grants and focusing on long-term planning to strengthen community resilience. This initiative – a collaboration between Allegany Franciscan Ministries, Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, Pinellas Community Foundation and United Way Suncoast – was created to strengthen Tampa Bay’s resilience for the future. Click here to donate online..

Dr. Celeste Collins (center) and James B. Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Center staff made their pitch onstage, asking for support for a new youth financial literacy program in partnership with BayFirst Financial.

Join 100 Good Guys

100 Good Guys – St. Pete is an organization dedicated to supporting area charities. Nonprofits apply to present at the organization’s quarterly meetings and a steering committee selects three nominees. Members each contribute $100 with a goal of raising $10,000, amplifying the impact of their donations. The group started as a counterpart to the successful 100 Women Who Care – St. Petersburg.

At its fourth quarterly pitch event, the 100 Good Guys giving circle donated to three local charities:

• Parc Center for Disabilities: $10,000
• The Kind Mouse Productions, Inc.: $1,000
• Family Center on Deafness: $500

The group’s next quarterly pitch event is Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. at Bayboro Brewing,  2390 5th Ave. S., St. Petersburg. New members can join at the event or register online at 100goodguys.com.

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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