Homeless shelter pantry in desperate need of food
Article published on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006 |
ST. PETERSBURG – The food pantry shelves are nearly empty at The Salvation Army St. Petersburg Area Command’s homeless shelter. A decrease in donations of food is responsible for the deficiency. More than 100 meals a day are prepared in the facility for people that have nowhere to turn for food.
Bread and luncheon meats are the most critical shortage. Fifty loaves of bread are used daily and the annual budget to purchase food for the shelter has been depleted due to the increase in the number of needy men, women and children in our community.
Bagged lunches are prepared daily at the shelter for more than 40 workers that are housed in The Salvation Army St. Petersburg Area Command’s Red Shield Lodge Emergency and Long Term Shelter who are day workers or are employed but are not financially able to afford housing. Others are homeless citizens of our community and families that cannot afford to feed their children.
In addition to bread and luncheon meats, other food items needed are vegetables (canned or frozen), butter or margarine, milk, pastries of any kind and coffee.
On any given night, there are around 2,300 homeless people in our community. These are men, women and children who, for whatever reason, have no place to live. Twenty-four percent of Pinellas County’s homeless are children under the age of 18, and more than half of these are unaccompanied youth.
The Salvation Army’s social services encompass a wide range of programs to help individuals and families overcome daunting obstacles. The Salvation Army’s grand design in social work has always been one of empowerment, enabling those in need to change their life’s circumstances and overcome challenges that stand in their way. Services include emergency assistance, self-sufficiency programming, counseling, referral services and much more.
The Salvation Army St. Petersburg Area Command’s Red Shield Lodge Emergency and Long Term Shelter is located at 1400 Fourth St. S. Bulk donations can be picked up by Salvation Army personnel. Individuals wishing to donate food are requested to drop off the items at the shelter.
Call The Salvation Army St. Petersburg Area Command at 550-8080.
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Article published on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006
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