Five ways to get involved and give back 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.

Schedule a food donation event

“Fill-A-Truck to Feed A Family” is a new initiative from Daystar Life Center to aid in hunger relief in the local community. Many school aged students and families will no longer have access to school meals during summer break. Daystar Life Center is collecting essential pantry items that may otherwise become expired or go unused.

The nonprofit is recruiting organizations, churches and neighborhoods to participate in the program. Daystar Life Center will bring a truck to your location and collect walk-up and drive-through donations. To get involved, contact Jacqueline Roche at (727) 605-0207 or email jacqueline.roche@daystarlife.com.

Volunteer at Lealman STEAM Day

The second annual Lealman STEAM Day is coming up July 10 and volunteers are needed to make this fun, educational day a success. The event will be held at the Lealman Exchange, 5175 45th St. N. in St. Petersburg.

Volunteers are needed for setup beginning at 8:15 a.m., as station chaperones to assist in moving kids from station to station, to help with lunch and assist with breaking down the event from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Volunteers can sign up online here or email connect@lealmanexchange.org to register.

Volunteer with St. Pete Free Clinic

St. Pete Free Clinic (SPFC) is a non-profit organization that provides a robust roster of community services, including healthy food, housing and free and reduced-cost healthcare services. According to Jennifer Yeagley, CEO of SPFC, the organization has witnessed a staggering rise in the number of individuals seeking food assistance – it’s now serving over 40,000 people monthly, compared to 20,000 pre-pandemic. 

Volunteers are needed to help make this sharp increase in families served possible. Helpers are needed at the We Help FRESH Pantry Indoor Choice location to ensure those visiting the pantry are greeted with a smile, routed quickly through the intake process and have fresh produce, meats, dairy and food staples organized and ready to be taken home. Volunteers are also needed to help sort and pack items that go home to the families in the FRESH Sprouts Program.

Most volunteer opportunities occur between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Individuals aged 16 and older are welcome, and those under 15 can volunteer with an adult. To learn more and sign up, click here.

Preschool Garden Attendant needed

Do you have a green thumb? Are you passionate about children learning to eat right from the start and having access to fresh fruits and vegetables? If so, the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg’s Ross Roeder and Mary Anne Reilly Teaching Garden at the Speer YMCA Preschool Academy could use your help.

The Preschool Garden Attendant will help oversee the general upkeep of the garden, including watering, weeding and planting. Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and watermelon are just a few of the things the preschoolers enjoy harvesting. The schedule is flexible, but weekly attendance is preferred. Apply 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.