However, not everyone has the resources to contribute to this trend.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to Data USA<\/a>, \u201c11.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Pinellas County, FL (108k out of 941k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.4%.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n With rising prices, the previous government shutdown and temporary suspension of SNAP benefits, this issue has only worsened.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Lorena Hardwick, the chief external affairs officer at Feeding Tampa Bay<\/a>, told The Crow\u2019s Nest that she witnessed the critical impact that the loss of SNAP benefits had on many individuals and families, but it hit children the hardest.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe high percentage of people that are receiving SNAP are children,\u201d Hardwick said. \u201cWhen that benefit goes away, it becomes even more critical, especially for school-age children that are going to school, that they may not have the same attention span that they did if they\u2019re going hungry.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n While SNAP benefits have been resumed, some people may not receive them in time for Thanksgiving, according to Bay News 9<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n To help fill the gap, there are a variety of organizations spread throughout the Tampa Bay area that are ready to provide resources to people who need them.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here is a list of local resources where people can get and give clothing, food and toys.\u00a0<\/p>\n Food resources<\/p>\n St. Pete Free Clinic<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n On Dec. 18, Pinellas County residents can receive fresh groceries at the Family Center on Deafness located at 5175 45th Street North from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. \u00a0<\/p>\n Feed St. Pete<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Located at Pinellas County Community Church, 5501 31st St S, the pantry operates every Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m. and it also distributes food during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Guests can attend via drive-through or walk-up and the pantry only requires a brief registration process. Guests who wish to donate can do so online<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Miscellaneous Resources\u00a0<\/p>\n Oldsmar Cares<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n Operating out of Oldsmar, the organization provides\u00a0stopgap rent and utility assistance, a food pantry, and a clothes closet. They are currently taking donations to prepare for a Kids Christmas Toy Giveaway<\/a>. Families can register children ages 0-16 to participate in the event and receive free Christmas toys.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Operation Toy Soldier<\/p>\n Veterans Funeral Care \u2013 a family-owned funeral home geared towards supporting veterans and their families \u2013 is collecting unwrapped toys that will be donated to children of families with at least one member deployed in the military. There are several drop-off locations<\/a> spread across the Tampa Bay area, including one at USF St. Petersburg. If students wish to donate a toy, they can go to the lobby of the SLC and find a red bin with the name of the initiative posted above.\u00a0<\/p>\n Metropolitan Ministries: Holiday Central\u00a0<\/p>\n The nonprofit organization based in Tampa Bay traditionally offers its Holiday Central assistance program, which provides outreach and locations for hot meals, classic holiday groceries, drop-off locations for food distribution and a chance to give back<\/a> through donations or gift drives and registries. Registration to receive food and gifts for children ages 0-17 for Christmas is open in Pinellas and Pasco County, with designated locations for distribution tents listed on the site<\/a>. Individuals can choose to fully register online or in person at a location closest to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n USF resources<\/p>\n Feed-A-Bull Food Pantry<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n A food pantry is located on all USF campuses. They take donations in the form of food, drink and hygiene products from community members or students. Students can then shop or place a to-go order, where a staff member will put together an order for a student for pick up. At the Tampa campus, the pantry is located in SVC 0002 and to-go orders can be picked up from lockers in the MSC. At the St. Petersburg campus, the pantry and pick up location are in PRW 106. At the Sarasota-Manatee campus, the pantry is in SMC C144.\u00a0<\/p>\n