ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — More than 2 million Floridians rely on assistance to help put food on the table.
This month, the maximum benefits available through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, increased slightly.
Single people will now get $8 more each month, while a family of four gets $29 more.
But with grocery prices and other living expenses still putting pressure on families, the need for help remains high.
One organization in St. Petersburg continues to see a high demand for free food.
On Wednesday at the Tangerine Plaza in south St. Petersburg, a new shipment of food came in for Positive Impact ST. PETE.
Positive Impact ST. PETE is an organization fighting hunger and addressing food insecurity in south St. Petersburg.
Every single Saturday at the Tangerine Plaza, cars line up as hundreds are served.
Executive Director Karen Rae Selm said, “It’s important to know that we serve families who are working hard to make ends meet … our working-class families, a lot of them, they want to be independent and they want to provide for themselves. However, they’re not earning enough to pay for the rising costs of a home and insurance and transportation, and child care.”
The organization moved to the city-owned space in 2020, serving a community where access to affordable, healthy food has long been a challenge.
“The cost of groceries since 2019 has increased by 30%,” Selm said.
While maximum SNAP benefits increased slightly this month, Selm said changes to eligibility requirements are creating additional challenges for families needing assistance.
“The requirements for SNAP have changed. So less families are qualifying for SNAP, and we could perceive that because less families are receiving SNAP, that less families need assistance. But that’s our perception, not the reality at all. These families still need assistance now more than ever because of the SNAP benefits being cut,” added Selm.
According to the Florida Policy Institute, there’s been a decline in SNAP enrollment in the state.
This January alone, Florida’s SNAP caseload dropped by 20,000 people.
That’s where the organization comes in with its volunteers.
Selm shared, “We have engaged over 2,000 of our community members throughout a years period of time, but it takes around 100 volunteers every single week.”
One volunteer is Gia Leguizamon, a mom who has been on the other side.
Two years ago, she moved to the area with her son.
“Things were very tight, and I was completely broke,” Leguizamon said. “So my son and I would catch the bus in the morning, early on a Saturday and wait in the lines.”
After being denied for SNAP benefits, they took an hour bus ride to get food at Positive Impact ST. PETE.
“Well, I had applied many times, but I made too much according to the SNAP or government. So I still don’t understand because I had no money to spend on food,” she said.
After getting some help, Leguizamon pays it forward.
“Yes, we’re all struggling, so this is a beacon of light for the community. They don’t make you feel shameful or that you should be embarrassed. So I say, at least give it a try.”
Besides volunteers, Selm said monetary donations are critical to keeping operations going.
Operational costs aren’t cheap, and costs keep increasing. The organization is also in need of another box truck.
“We need people to link arms with us and help in any way that they can,” Selm said.
Every Saturday, Positive Impact ST. PETE has a free grocery distribution event from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Beyond the food events, Selm is optimistic about the future. She is looking into opening an impact center in South St. Pete.
The space would focus on the person, as a whole, by providing multiple services in one place.
Selm said they are in the middle of securing partners and the plan is to secure.
Every Saturday, Positive Impact ST. PETE has a free grocery distribution event from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Beyond the food events, Selm is optimistic about the future. She is looking into opening an impact center in South St. Pete.
The space would focus on the person, as a whole, by providing multiple services in one place.
Selm said they are in the middle of securing partners and the plan is to secure a location in 2027.