St. Petersburg's Parks and Recreation Department, the Healthy St. Pete division, and Summer BreakSpot have again partnered to provide meals for kids during the summer break. Youth aged 18 and under can receive free, nutritious meals from June 2 through Aug. 8. Recreation centers and other sites will offer breakfast, lunch or both, depending on the location. For times and locations, visit the website here.
The Children's Board of Hillsborough County has raised $471,329 to help the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay provide 422 additional summer camp scholarships across nine area sites. The organization's summer camps run from June 9 through Aug. 1. According to the announcement, the funding will ensure "more children in high-demand areas have access to safe, enriching summer experiences."
Local postal workers will collect food donations from residents' mailboxes Saturday as part of the nationwide Stamp Out Hunger initiative. Clearwater-based Hope Villages of America will receive, sort and distribute the donations. The local initiative, part of the nation's largest single-day food drive, garnered 4,000 fewer pounds of food - 3,333 meals - in 2024 than in 2023 (80,000 pounds). For more information on how to reverse that trend, visit the website here.
The Florida Holocaust Museum announced Thursday that the St. Petersburg institution will reopen Sept. 9 after extensive renovations. The museum has remained closed to the public since July 2024. The expansion provided room for new exhibits like a 10-ton Danish fishing vessel used to smuggle Jews to safety during World War II and the renowned Elie Wiesel Collection.
St. Petersburg organizations that provide homelessness prevention and assistance services can now apply for up to $100,000 in city funding. The application portal is open until June 20. City officials will host an informational workshop May 14 at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit the website here.
Pinellas County is now accepting applications for federal grants that help prevent crime, improve the criminal justice system and mitigate drug abuse. Officials anticipate distributing $270,837 to local governments, political or law enforcement agencies and nonprofits through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Countywide. Licensed substance abuse treatment providers can receive awards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 through the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Trust Fund. For more information, visit the website here.
The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg will soon provide four multi-sector, collaborative initiatives that help systemically change social and environmental determinants of health with up to $250,000. The $1 million in funding stems from the foundation's Healthy People 2025 program. A launch event begins at 9 a.m. April 23 at 2333 34th St. S. For more information, visit the website here.
The Tampa Bay Rays celebrated the 78th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier Tuesday by awarding five local organizations and recognizing several community leaders before their game against the Boston Red Sox. Embracing our Difference, Infinite Potential Learning Academy, Project Prosper, Redlands Christian Migrant Association and Supportive Equity Connections of Tampa Bay each received $20,000 from the Rays Baseball Foundation and Rowdies Soccer Fund. Since 2020, the Rays have recognized nonprofits that reflect Robinson's core values of courage, determination, teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment and excellence.
St. Petersburg's City of the Arts Grant program is now accepting applications from eligible nonprofits. Arts and culture-focused organizations with budgets over $50,000 can apply to receive up to $20,000 in funding through June 13. For more information, visit the website here.
The City of St. Petersburg is now accepting applications from organizations that uplift youth academically, socially, emotionally and civically through dynamic and engaging summer programs. Applicants with demonstrable experience engaging at-risk or underserved youth can request up to $35,000 until April 22 from the Community Impact Summer Enhancement Grant initiative. For more information, visit the website here.
Pinellas County Human Services is accepting proposals from qualified organizations interested in providing programs that help mitigate and end the local opioid epidemic. Officials will award approximately $30 million to organizations with a minimum annual operating budget of $3 million that help provide recovery housing, peer specialists, diversion programming and community support and quick response teams. Applications are open until June 2. For more information, visit the website here.
St. Petersburg-based Volunteers of America of Florida has launched Project C.O.P.E. (Caring for Our People in Emergencies) to mitigate the 2024 hurricane season's ongoing impacts on Pinellas County residents. The initiative will provide mental health services, community resources, education, needs assessments and referrals. For more information, visit the website here.
