GULFPORT./LEALMAN – Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger, a tri-county leader in hunger relief, research and program development, has two new partners.

The Catherine A. Hickman Theater of Gulfport and Clearview United Methodist Church in the Lealman area will host weekly meal packing events and help deliver food to children and families in Lealman and Gulfport through the Meals On Wheels for Kids program.

“We are grateful MOW4Kids is serving our community, especially with summer approaching, this ensures our children have the same access to good and healthy food as we enter what may be a long and uncertain summer,” Gulfport Mayor Sam Henderson said. “We are happy to support the Network’s mission to help children and families in Gulfport. This program also gives our employees the opportunity to give back by helping our community.”

Volunteers will assemble shelf stable foods and produce at the Catherine A. Hickman Theater on Saturday for delivery on Monday and at Clearview United Methodist Church on Tuesday for delivery on Wednesday. On delivery days, volunteers load school buses with produce and shelf stable foods to deliver to the homes of children and families around St. Petersburg.

“As COVID closed schools and took its toll on the economy, we were so grateful to have space to offer when the Network approached us about hosting this program,” Clearview United Pastor Keri LaBrant said.  “We and the Network both value the most vulnerable people around us, and doing more together for families who are struggling is a win-win.”

The Network’s MOW4Kids program launched this past March, in partnership with Share Our Strength’s No Kids Hungry, Pinellas County Schools Food and Nutrition and Transportation Departments, Daystar Life Center, St. Petersburg Free Clinic and Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County.

MOW4Kids, the first program of its kind, was developed in response to COVID-19 school closures, to serve children, 18 years or younger, with meals delivered to their home by volunteers. MOW4Kids delivers to: 1) kids, ages 18 and under; 2) kids that can eat solid food.

MOW4Kids is an alternative option for kids that are not able to access meal distribution sites throughout the county; and/or 2) kids that have difficulty accessing open food pantries. The program currently serves these St. Petersburg zip codes: 33701, 33703, 33704, 33705, 33707, 33708, 33709, 33710, 33711, 33712, 33713 and 33714; and will continue to expand the program to include neighboring zip codes.

“Support from our community is critical during this difficult time,” said Caitlyn Peacock, executive director of TBNEH. “Our new partners will allow us to provide a much-needed service in St. Petersburg by distributing more meals to children that are at home and unable to access an emergency feeding site. They will also allow us to bring together community members to volunteer their time to help prepare the food that will be delivered.”

At the core of this Meals on Wheels program is nutritious food delivered to the homes of children and their families. The program provides meals, shelf stable groceries, along with produce, as resources allow. Children may experience an increase in overall nutrition, health, and food security. Eligible recipients may also report decreased feelings of loneliness and increased feelings of safety from volunteers stopping by.

Meal packing events take place each week at these sites: Saturdays-Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport; Tuesdays- Clearview UMC, 4515 38th Ave. N; and Saturday- Daystar Life Center, 1055 28th St. S.

Interested in volunteering? Go to networktoendhunger.org/volunteer to complete a volunteer application. If you or anyone you know could benefit from this program, call Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger at (813) 344-5837 or submit an application at NetworktoEndHunger.org/MOW4Kids. If eligible, meal delivery service can begin the following week, while school is closed.

TBNEH is committed to ending hunger in Tampa Bay by bringing people together to find solutions that eliminate barriers, increase access and knowledge, and expand the amount of nutritious food available. TBNEH has more than 350 members and serves a tri-county area, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties. TBNEH is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency and relies on its community for support.

To view the full news story by Tampa Bay Reporter, visit https://www.tbreporter.com/social-services/meals-on-wheels-for-kids-expands-to-gulfport-lealman/

Due to event cancellations prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, the Mahaffey Theater in downtown St. Petersburg has been sitting empty and unused.

But beginning Saturday, its lobby will be filled with volunteers receiving and packaging up food for families in need.

In late April, St. Petersburg entrepreneur Bill Edwards gave $100,000 to the Meals on Wheels for Kids program through the Edwards Family Foundation. The money is helping the program launched March 23 deliver at least 25,000 meals as well as shelf stable groceries to families in need.

Meals on Wheels for Kids was launched by the Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger, in partnership with Share Our Strength’s No Kids Hungry, Pinellas County Schools Food and Nutrition, Daystar Life Center and the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County. It was developed in response to the school closures caused by the threat of COVID-19 as a way to replace school meals and to get food to people who have trouble accessing distribution sites and food pantries.

And now, the Mahaffey Theater, which is run by the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts, will become a packaging and distribution site for the meals, every Friday through Monday through August.

“This is the best use for it in my opinion,” Edwards said. “If we can’t put on shows, we should use it to help people.”

Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts president Amy Miller coordinated with the Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger to facilitate use of the space. State Representative Jennifer Webb, who is a business development consultant for the Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger, will be an onsite coordinator.

This Saturday, volunteers — including Miller and other staff from the foundation — will assemble the meals with food delivered by the Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger. They will pack them into three school buses parked outside, and then on Monday, volunteers will deliver 1,500 meals each around St. Petersburg.

Miller said that Meals on Wheels for Kids is providing gloves and masks for the volunteers and that deliveries will be contactless.

If you are interested in getting meals through the program, you can call the Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger at (813) 344-5837 or submit an application at NetworktoEndHunger.org/MOW4Kids. If eligible, meal delivery service can begin the following week.

The goal is to increase the amount of meals to 3,000 per week and to feed 50,000 families by the end of August. If schools don’t reopen, they’ll keep going, Miller said, “until they tell us to stop” or if the theater reopens.

The Edwards Family Foundation has been helping underprivileged children for 19 years, through its annual Christmas Gala Celebration that feeds and gives gifts to hundreds of families. School children in need can take part in the Bill Edwards Foundation of the Arts’ Class Acts program, which provides the opportunity to see a show.

“It’s important right now that we get these poor families fed during the worst time I’ve ever seen in my history,” Edwards said.

Since March 23, Meals on Wheels for Kids has delivered meals to 575 kids per week, said Lauren Vance, manager of the Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger.

Vance said the Edwards donation helped them reach more families throughout St. Petersburg, which is the area the program determined has the most need. But their ultimate goal is to reach all of Pinellas County.

Instead of asking for support of the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts on Giving Tuesday in early May, president Miller used a social media campaign to bring more awareness to Meals on Wheels for Kids.

“I encourage anyone in town who wants to contribute to help,” Edwards said. “We can’t do this alone. It’s important that we get this accomplished.”

To view the full news story by Tampa Bay Times, visit https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2020/05/12/mahaffey-theater-will-become-distribution-site-for-new-meals-on-wheels-for-kids-program/

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas (ELC) continues to emphasize the importance of childcare providers – several of which stayed open through the stay-at-home orders to care for children of essential workers, while others now begin to reopen for business or work on plans to do so.

After scaled-down or fully closed operations, some early learning and childcare providers now face a multitude of struggles, from financial hardships to structural to workforce, loss of clientele, loss of staff, and other challenges; as they look toward resuming regular business operations.

The ELC, in partnership with the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (JWB), produced this video – which features community leaders, essential workers, and parents – to thank childcare providers for caring for children during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as the support they have always provided and will continue to provide working families. JWB also partnered on a second video to raise awareness about the essential work of childcare providers whose work makes the work of others possible. These videos are viewable on YouTube.

In support of childcare providers and the families they serve, the ELC developed the Emergency Childcare Support Fund to help ensure childcare for families who have been financially affected as well as aid for providers as they reopen. To contribute to the Emergency Childcare Support Fund:

Visit https://bit.ly/PinellasKids or text HELPKIDS to 71441.

“Childcare providers have stepped up to care for the children of all working families during this pandemic,” said ELC CEO Lindsay Carson. “They are vital in order to restart our local economies. Without childcare, many parents cannot return to work. Our providers deserve our support as they seek to maintain services or seek to reopen their centers.”

To partner with the ELC on efforts to support providers and families, contact Rosa Rivera, Director of Community Engagement, at RRivera@ELCPinellas.org.

To view the full news story by The Patch, visit https://patch.com/florida/stpete/thanking-childcare-providers

ST. PETERSBURG — Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger program, in partnership with No Kid Hungry Share Our Strength, Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas, Daystar Life Center, Pinellas County Schools Food Nutrition Services and Transportation, and St. Petersburg Free Clinic are working together to provide Meals On Wheels 4 Kids (MOW4Kids).

While schools are closed, MOW4Kids delivers meals to homes by volunteers. Qualified applicants must be:

• Children ages 18 and under
• Children that can eat solid food
• Participants must be home to receive the meal

MOW4Kids is an alternative option for children that are not able to access any of the school meal distribution sites throughout the county; and/or to children that have difficulty accessing open food pantries.

MOW4Kids delivers to the following St. Petersburg zip codes: 33701, 33703, 33704, 33705, 33707, 33708, 33709, 33710, 33711, 33712, 33713, 33714.

MOW4Kids deliver a box of shelf- stable foods and nutritious frozen meals on Mondays between10-2 p.m.

MOW4Kids volunteers have received background checks and training prior to delivery.

How to receive meals

Deliveries will begin once:

• MOW4Kids receives application(s)
• Confirmed on the telephone.

Please note: you are not enrolled until you get a phone call confirmation.  Deliveries will begin after they speak with you on the telephone. If you receive a voicemail or email from us, please respond between 9-5 p.m.

Items included in the box of shelf stable groceries will vary. A typical box may include:

• Apple sauce
• Fresh produce, like oranges, celery, tomatoes, apples, carrots
• Fruit cups
• Juice boxes
• Pasta
• Peanut butter
• Rice
• Soup
• Vegetables, canned
• Fresh produce

Click here to donate to MOW4Kids.

To view the full news story by The Weekly Challenger, visit http://theweeklychallenger.com/feeding-children-while-school-is-out/

Pinellas County needs volunteers to help a network of nonprofits, schools and government agencies provide hundreds of thousands of meals each week during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pinellas County Schools has particular need of volunteers to assist with curbside meal distribution at 22 campus locations across the county for the remainder of the school closure. Personal protective gear is provided, and COVID-19 safety measures are in place for volunteers. Details can be found online at Volunteer Florida’s website.

Residents can also donate non-perishable foods or money to support their neighbors, many of whom may be seeking food assistance for the first time. Residents can also help by checking on elderly or homebound neighbors from a safe distance to ensure they are receiving adequate food and supplies.

Food assistance available in every part of Pinellas County

As the impacts of the pandemic have grown over the past month, so have local efforts to provide food and other assistance.

That’s why Pinellas County Emergency Management has partnered with Feeding Tampa Bay, Pinellas County Schools, Juvenile Welfare Board and dozens of other food banks, nonprofits and community organizations to make sure food is available for residents in every part of the county. Resources include:

•Food Pantries & Prepared Meal Distribution Sites: find the nearest location with this interactive map.
•Mobile Food Pantries: find the next one in your neighborhood with this online calendar.
•School Meals: to find the schools near you that are offering meals to students during school closures, visit the Summer BreakSpot website.
•Home Meal Delivery for Kids & Seniors: Meals on Wheels for Kids brings meals to families that don’t have transportation. Neighborly Care Network/Meals on Wheels for Seniors: drive-thru and delivery options available for older adults 60+ with safe social distancing – Call 727-573-9444
•For more food sites, see Feeding Tampa Bay’s Online Map of Local Food Pantries.

Apply for food assistance

Many requirements to apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have been waived to help more people get immediate help paying for essentials. Apply online or call 866-762-2237 or 850-300-4323 (TTY 1-800-955-8771). Agents are available for extended hours, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

As additional assistance becomes available, Pinellas County will continue to share updates on this website: www.PinellasCounty.org/Covid19.

To view the full news story by The Patch, visit https://patch.com/florida/pinellasbeaches/pinellas-county-require-volunteers-safely-provide-meals-kids-need

LARGO — Pinellas County Schools’ move to digital learning has been going well for the most part, and that’s a good thing since Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced that schools will remain closed until the end of the academic year.

Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Michael Grego and his staff presented a detailed report on what has occurred since the transition during an April 14 virtual School Board meeting, including examples of community support.

Grego told board members that attendance the first week had hit 97% with students engaging in some way. A figure envied by other school district’s around the state, said Board Chair Carol Cook.

DeSantis and the Department of Education required schools to remain closed an extra week after spring break. Then the order was given to close schools until April 15. That date was later extended to May 1.

DeSantis announced Saturday that the state’s K-12 schools will remain closed. The last day of classes in Pinellas is set for May 29.

Grego released a statement Saturday night that said he and the School Board were in full agreement with the governor’s decision to continue with digital learning for the remainder of the school year.

He said the safety, health and well-being of students, families, staff and community were of the utmost importance.

“We recognize that there are many end-of-year traditions and this time is exceptionally hard for our high school seniors and their families,” he said. “We are working to ensure such celebrations, especially graduation, are honored and meaningful.

“During the first three weeks of digital learning nearly 98 percent of our students engaged online. We are committed to continuously improve our supports for our staff, students and families with the ultimate goal of reaching 100 percent student participation.”

While a decision had not yet been made on reopening schools as of April 14, Grego said staff had been making plans to be ready just in case. He said regardless of whatever decision is made, the district would be putting safety first.

“We’re preparing for any and all,” Grego said, adding that preparations include graduating seniors that may not get a traditional ceremony this year.”

Grego said on Saturday night that graduations would be conducted virtually with individual school celebrations occurring once health officials say it is safe to have large gatherings.

However, Grego amended his statement on graduation Monday afternoon.

“In an effort to preserve traditional commencement ceremonies for our students, the district is working with the Tampa Bay Rays regarding dates in June or July to host graduations if CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines and Major League Baseball schedule allow,” Grego said. “We recognize the importance of in-person celebrations and are working diligently to pursue this option. There are many details still to work out and we will provide updated information as it becomes available.”

Digital learning in Pinellas

The school district used the second week of spring break to prepare to open digital classrooms on March 30. Grego said electronic devices were distributed to students who needed them, teachers were trained and plans were made to continue feeding students when the buildings were closed.

“It’s hard to believe we’ve been at this for two weeks,” Grego said. “It feels longer than that. I believe we’re getting into a groove. What we’ve accomplished is monumental.”

Grego said about 25,000 digital devices have been handed out, including about 4,500 laptop computers.

Cook pointed out that the school district had been able to provide digital devices for students to use at home thanks in part to the school referendum approved by voters since 2004. Some of the money goes to technology.

Five digital distribution sites are open where students can get devices or hot spots, as well as technical support and needed repairs.

Grego thanked Spectrum for providing free internet access to students that qualified. And he thanked, the Juvenile Welfare Board for stepping up and paying delinquent bills for some families. Pinellas Education Foundation and the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg paid for more than 500 hot spots.

“The buildings may be closed, but the teaching and the learning continues,” Grego said. “Pinellas County has done a remarkable job.”

Kevin Hendrick, associate superintendent of Teaching & Learning Services, talked about the district’s “unique and novel approach” that involves students, teachers, parents and caregivers. He said the plan was to make sure that the district wasn’t “overburdening anyone.”

“A few quality lessons are more important than 10 or 12 lessons a week,” he said.

The district is working to provide support, flexibility and balance, he said.

Digital learning in Pinellas includes a single log in system and Microsoft Teams. More than 8,000 instructional staff members have been trained to use Microsoft teams. Hendrick admitted there had been some global issues with Microsoft’s platform, but they were being resolved with continued improvements in functionality.

“We’ve tried to provide teachers with flexibility to meet the needs of individual students and provided resources, but have not mandated that this lesson or assignment has to be used a certain amount of times to try to let teachers decided based on the needs of students and families,” he said.

He said resources are available on the district’s website, https://www.pcsb.org, to help train students and parents. Weekly videos are posted for teachers to answer questions. The district continues to work with Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, which he said had been very supportive.

“This has been a lot of work for staff, but it has come out very well,” he said.

Grego said since the district had transitioned to digital learning there had been a number of “great success stories and forms of innovation.”

He gave an example of the orchestra band instructor at Largo High School finding a way to put 56 individuals together to perform one symphony.

“The innovation that’s taking place is just unbelievable,” he said.

Meal distribution

One of the biggest problems of closing down schools was continuing to provide meals for students in need.

Clint Herbic, associate superintendent for Operational Services, said the district had originally opened nine distribution sites. He said staff had monitored how many meals had been given out each day and then made adjustments based on need, which is greater in some areas of the county.

Staff had been providing one breakfast and one lunch for each child.

However, as of April 22, meal distribution will occur only once a week to comply with guidelines from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention that recommends that people stay home as much as possible.

Each Wednesday, families will be able to get six days of food for each child. Herbic said caregivers should plan ahead to get that much food at once. Visit https://www.pcsb.org/Page/32853 for a list of distribution sites.

Financial matters

Grego said one of the most frequent questions from staff is, “Are we going to get paid?”

Kevin Smith, associate superintendent of Finance & Business Services, said although most of the work being done by his staff is occurring remotely, payroll services are continuing. Vendors are being paid.

He said staff is developing new ways of doing business. One example was the receipt of bids, which typically were hardcopy documents delivered by hand. The district is now accepting electronic bids.

He said the finance department was looking at all expenditures to try to find ways to save money.

“We’re going to be coming into potentially difficult financial times,” he said, adding that it was important to make sure students and teachers have what they need while staying “fiscally responsible as much as we can.”

Grego said preparations also have begun for different types of summer programs.

“We’re preparing for anything and everything possible,” he said. “But without a doubt, we want to keep our employees and our students safe.”

Cook praised Grego and his staff for the work they’ve done, as well as students and parents and the entire community for stepping up and making digital learning a success.

“Unfortunately sometimes it takes very difficult times to show how strong we really are,” she said. “Pinellas is strong.”

To view the full news story by Tampa Bay Newspapers, visit https://www.tbnweekly.com/coronavirus/article_67db1aa4-81b8-11ea-9c90-234cba0afd51.html

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Local nonprofits are stepping up big time in Pinellas County.

On Friday, the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions (ISPS) at St. Petersburg College hosted an online forum highlighting how Pinellas County nonprofits are filling the gap to offer essential resources as the community reacts to COVID-19. 

Leaders from the Pinellas Community Foundation, Juvenile Welfare Board, YMCA of Greater St Petersburg and the St. Petersburg Free Clinic all shared what resources and services they are providing to the public.

First, if you need food, the St. Petersburg Free Clinic is offering a “We Help Food Pantry” located at 863 3rd Ave N in downtown St Pete.

You must be a Pinellas County resident and you don’t have to prove hardship. 

It’s provided one time per month. They are also offering food programs for kids, “Every other Wednesday at Child’s Park we will have food bags for kids. There is one coming up on April 22, May 6 and May 20,” Jennifer Yeagley, CEO of St. Petersburg Free Clinic said.

Check the St. Petersburg Free Clinic’s website for additional food pantries they’ll offer and information about other food services like the SNAP and WIC program. 

Right now, its health center is closed but hey are offering tele-health services so you can call to get the healthcare information you need. They also have information on where you can find emergency dental care and information about COVID-19.

When it comes to childcare, the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg made a decision one month ago to act.

“On March 17, we simultaneously announced we closed YMCA locations and repurposed them to provide childcare for essential personnel in the community. It was time to take care of those who were taking care of us,” David Jezek CEO of YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg said. 

Jezek said childcare costs $50 per week and you can go to their website to see who qualifies as an essential worker. The YMCA is also offering online educational programs and tutoring for kids. 

The Pinellas Community Foundation has created the Tampa Bay Resilience Fund to help pull resources and get donations to help support non-profits. 

They’ve also created the Pinellas Arts Community Relief Fund to help artists and the Fighting Chance Support Fund to support small businesses. 

The Juvenile Welfare Board which funds 82 programs and supports children and families has more information on its website for resources preventing childhood hunger.

The most updated information about all of the resources each nonprofit is offering can be found on their website, as it may change on a day to day basis.

To read the full news story by WTSP, visit https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/pinellas-county-nonprofits-helping-growing-demand/67-39c2756b-b28e-40fa-8dbc-75dc0b32ef18