Coronavirus Increases Hunger: Find A Food Bank In St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, FL —It's easy to see the effects the coronavirus pandemic has had on businesses, entertainment and socialization in St. Petersburg, but what's not as visible is the number of residents who are worried about where to find their next meal.

Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief organization, says coronavirus-related economic crises could push the number of food insecure Americans to 54 million by year's end.

That's 17 million more Americans than who were food insecure before the pandemic. For some, it's a matter of running short on grocery money before the week is out and eating a lot of boxed pasta and rice dishes.

For others, food insecurity means real hunger.

In Pinellas County, 123,860 (12.9 percent of residents) were considered food insecure before the pandemic, according to Feeding America's "Map the Meal Gap" interactive study.

Job loss and other economic crises associated with the coronavirus could push the rate of food insecurity in Pinellas County to 18.3 percent by the end of the year.

Feeding America, whose 200 member food banks include Feeding Tampa Bay, reports both higher demand for services and more need for volunteer and donor support.

Some food pantries and other services available in St. Petersburg are:

• St. Petersburg Free Clinic, 863 3rd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, (727) 821-1200
• St. Petersburg Free Clinic-Jared Hechtkopf Community Food Bank, 3115 44th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33714, (727) 485-8839
• Wesley United Methodist Church, 301 37th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704, (727) 896-4797
• DayStar Life Center, 1055 28th St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712, (727) 825-0442
• St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 3747 34th St. S.St. Petersburg FL 33711, 727-867-7015
• St. Vincent De Paul, 384 15th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, (727) 823-2516
• FBC Food Pantry, 1900 Gandy Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL, 33702, (727) 576-5508
• St. Bede's Episcopal Church Little Free Pantry, 2500 16th Streen N, St. Petersburg, FL, 33704, (727) 823-7649
• St Stefanos Food Pantry, 3600 76th Street N, St. Petersburg, FL, (727) 345-8235
• Pinellas Community Church, 5501 31st St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712, (727) 866-1184
• Mercy Keepers Inc, 2021 9th Ave S, St Petersburg, FL 33712, 727-823-8795, 727-823-8795
• St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 4444 5th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713, (727) 321-1335
• People That Love Church and Mission, 817 5th Ave N, St Petersburg, FL 33701, (727) 820-0775
• Florida Dream Center, 4017 56th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33714, (727) 851-9074

Food insecurity is often thought of as a "poor people's problem," but not all people living in poverty are food insecure, and not all food insecure people live in poverty. Food insecurity is a complex issue sandwiched in with other systemic challenges, including poverty, low wages, affordable housing shortages, chronic and acute health problems, high medical costs and social isolation.

"Our members are reporting that many of the people they're serving have never sought food assistance before," Kathryn Strickland, Feeding America's chief network officer, told Patch. "Some people are reporting that people who formerly donated to food banks are now seeking assistance."

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.