Page 11

19088GB

11 GREENBENCHMONTHLY.COM and temporary assistance with water bills and food. With one in seven citizens of Pinellas County unable to purchase enough to eat, the food assistance is a gem on its own. The clinic’s food programs focus on everything from elderly assistance to end-of-themonth food for individuals and families who just can’t make that paycheck stretch. In fact, the volume of food distributed by SPFC’s programs has doubled in recent years. With needs quickly outgrowing their current location, Houghton wanted to act fast. Several months ago, Houghton sat down with community member Bonnie Hechtkopf to address a problem: namely that the drop-off and distribution of food in the same location was impeding the productivity of the warehouse in the back. The location of the loading dock in a public alley, too close to the limited parking for the rest of the clinic’s services, wasn’t ideal. Hechtkopf saw solving this problem as the perfect way to memorialize her late husband, and the idea of a better warehouse was born. The new warehouse is located in Lealman, and since the clinic’s food pantry requires a tremendous amount of coordination for its deliveries, the 14,000-square-foot location is perfect. SPFC is used to thinking about location. With the clinic and the pantry, SPFC must consider the small things, like accessibility to a nearby bus line. However, these aren’t the issues a distribution warehouse needs to focus on. Food collection and distribution will soon be fulfilled at the warehouse, which can be easily accessed via U.S. 19 and I-275. The warehouse is scheduled to open in January of next year. Make a Difference: St. Petersburg Free Clinic is always looking for volunteers. If you’re a dentist, doctor, nurse or just want to lend a helping hand, consider donating one or two hours a month. Visit the St. Petersburg Free Clinic at 863 3rd Ave. N. For more information, call 727-821-1200 or visit www. stpetersburgfreeclinic.org. Upcoming Events: The clinic’s 37th annual hunger action event at the Coliseum is coming up on Oct. 7 at 11:45 a.m. This year’s event will benefit the Pack-ASack program, which provides food for the weekend for hungry kids.


19088GB
To see the actual publication please follow the link above