St. Petersburg College To Distribute Free Food Boxes

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — In his acceptance speech for the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture of their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.

Each year, on King’s birthday, volunteers all over the country come together to try to make that belief a reality. This year, St. Petersburg College has partnered with Hope Villages of America to challenge students, faculty, staff and the community, as well, to help distribute food boxes to those in need on Friday, Jan. 15, at the college’s Clearwater and Midtown campuses.

Dr. Misty Kemp, SPC’s Executive Director of Retention Services, and Dr. Tara Newsom, Director of SPC’s Center for Civic Learning and Community Engagement, are overseeing the event. Kemp says she hopes it will support Dr. King’s desire to make sure people don’t go hungry.

“We recognize the need is there,” Kemp said. “Food insecurity continues to increase, and this is one way we can give back.”

There are two ways to get involved. Those who wish to take part can share the news of food availability with neighbors, co-workers, students and families, or they can help with food distribution at either campus. Kemp says social distancing will be strictly followed at the outdoor event, as face masks and gloves will be required of volunteers, and those picking up food will not leave their vehicles.

Boxes will be filled with non-perishable items such as canned fruits, vegetables, and meats, as well as pasta, sauce, peanut butter and soup. Community members who are in need are invited to come and get a food box during the event. Parking lots will be set up for a drive-through distribution, and people will be asked to remain in their car. They will also be required to fill out a survey before having items loaded into their vehicle. There are a limited number of boxes, so it will be first come, first served.

When: Friday, Jan. 15, 9-11 a.m.

Where: SPC’s Clearwater Campus 2465 Drew St Clearwater, FL 33765

SPC Midtown Center 1300 22nd St S St. Petersburg, FL 33712

This press release was produced by the St Petersburg College News. The views expressed are the author's own.