News Summary
As food prices rise and assistance programs face cuts, families in St. Petersburg, Florida are increasingly turning to local food drives for support. Positive Impact St. Pete, under the leadership of Karen Rae, is at the forefront of this initiative, helping around 3,000 people weekly. With Thanksgiving nearing, the demand for food aid is set to surge, prompting the organization to launch a canned food drive to create ‘Boxes of Blessings’ for families in need.
St. Petersburg, Florida is seeing an alarming rise in the number of families seeking assistance from local food drives as food prices soar and assistance programs are cut. With the approach of Thanksgiving, the demand for food aid is expected to increase even further, prompting local organizations to respond to the growing need within the community.
Positive Impact St. Pete, a local organization managed by Karen Rae, has been at the forefront of this effort, providing groceries for approximately 3,000 individuals every Saturday. As the economic situation deteriorates, the number of cars lining up at Tangerine Plaza in South St. Pete for food assistance has grown significantly. Volunteers work diligently to load food into the trunks of vehicles, reflecting the urgency of the situation. Rae has observed a notable rise in first-time visitors, many of whom are working-class families struggling to meet their basic needs.
Job losses and cuts to federal and local assistance programs have exacerbated food insecurity in St. Petersburg, leaving many families unable to afford necessary groceries. As these economic stresses mount, local organizations are gearing up for a surge in demand, especially as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches.
In response, Positive Impact St. Pete is organizing a canned food drive to support the community. They are soliciting contributions from various local entities, including workplaces, churches, and community organizations, to create “Boxes of Blessings.” Each box, which costs approximately $25 to fill, is designed to provide families with everything they need to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal. This initiative underscores the organization’s commitment to helping those in need during this critical time.
Rae highlights the emotional toll that serving the community has on the volunteers and staff, noting the vital role that faith plays in their mission to address food insecurity. Each week, dedicated volunteers work to alleviate some of the burdens faced by local families, fostering a sense of hope and connection within the community.
Donations of canned food are accepted by Positive Impact St. Pete every Friday from 8 to 10 a.m. at their location at 1754 22nd Street South in St. Petersburg. The organization encourages anyone interested in supporting their efforts to reach out via email at [email protected] for further arrangements. They also invite community members to start their own food drives or volunteer to bolster these crucial efforts.
The impact of rising food prices and cuts to assistance programs on families across St. Petersburg emphasizes the growing need for community support. As the holiday season approaches, it is increasingly vital for local organizations and residents to come together to ensure that no family goes without food this Thanksgiving.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News: St. Pete Organization Prepares for Thanksgiving
- Wikipedia: Food Insecurity
- Kansas Reflector: Food Assistance Payments
- Google Search: Food Assistance
- South Dakota Searchlight: Federal Changes to SNAP
- Google Scholar: Food Assistance Programs
- Oregon Capital Chronicle: SNAP Error Watchdogs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: SNAP
- Florida Phoenix: SNAP Recipients Concerns
- Google News: Food Security
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
