FEAST Food Pantry – Helping Those Who Help Others
Please take a moment to read Mary’s story:
Meet Mary, a dedicated elementary school teacher who has always encouraged her students to give back through food drives supporting Feast Food Pantry. But when tragedy struck her own family, she found herself on the other side—in need of help.
After a serious car accident, mounting medical bills, and time away from work, Mary and her teenage children struggled to make ends meet. Reluctant to ask for assistance, she felt guilty accepting food donations. But FEAST reminded her of an important truth: help is here for those who need it most.
Thanks to a #PCF Operating Grant, FEAST was able to provide nutritious meals for Mary’s family, ensuring they had the support they needed to recover and move forward. Mary called FEAST a “lifesaver”—and that’s exactly what community-driven support is all about.
NOMADstudio – A True Community Win!
At PCF, we are always hearing incredible stories through our grants programs. One story from our friends at NOMADstudio truly stands out. Kinsey Rodriguez, Program Director at NOMADstudio, noticed one of her MicroCamp participants, Mike, struggling with his wheelchair. It was a sports wheelchair designed for a different purpose, leaving Mike with constant barriers. But this story didn’t end with frustration—it ended with a community coming together.
Kinsey worked tirelessly to connect Mike with the resources he needed, including a new wheelchair designed specifically for his daily life. Thanks to the incredible efforts of the MicroCamp participants, local children created art to raise money, and within just 48 hours, they surpassed their fundraising goal!
This inspiring journey isn’t just about providing a new wheelchair—it’s about community, connection, and autonomy. At Pinellas Community Foundation, we’re proud to support organizations like NOMADstudio that are changing lives every day.
Great Explorations Children’s Museum – Providing Stability When It’s Needed Most
In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, families across our community faced disruptions to their routines, evacuations, and uncertainty. For families with children on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing differences, these changes can be especially challenging.
With support from PCF grant funding, Great Explorations Children’s Museum made the decision to keep their Great Connections program open, ensuring families had a safe, structured, and welcoming space when they needed it most. While many organizations had to cancel programming, Great Explorations recognized the importance of routine, social connection, and sensory-friendly play—providing children a chance to decompress and parents an opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges.
One parent shared how grateful they were that Great Connections provided a moment of normalcy and relief during an otherwise stressful time. This is the power of community-driven philanthropy in action.
Strength in Strides: How Girls on the Run is Helping Girls Heal!
When Hurricanes Helene and Milton left devastation across our community, the impact reached far beyond homes and belongings—it disrupted the sense of stability and support that young people rely on. For participants in Girls on the Run Greater Tampa Bay, the program became more than just after-school activities; it became a critical space for healing, connection, and resilience-building.
At Madeira Beach Elementary, where the school sustained significant damage, the season was cut short. But when teams were able to reunite, Girls on the Run gave them a way to process emotions, regain a sense of normalcy, and support one another. The lessons of teamwork, perseverance, and self-confidence became even more meaningful in the wake of loss.
Inspired to give back, several teams dedicated their Community Impact Projects to collecting donations for families who had lost everything—turning compassion into action at a time when it was needed most.
PCF is honored to support Girls on the Run through grant funding, ensuring programs like these continue to provide the tools, mentorship, and opportunities young people need to thrive—no matter the challenges they face.
Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation
When the Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation (SPPF) welcomed a new high school student to their M.A.S.T.R. Plan program, he was certain of one thing—he wanted to become a chef. His love for cooking was clear, but when encouraged to explore three different career paths, he was reluctant. He’d tell his father with exasperation, “Ms. Bridgette won’t stop asking me to come up with three careers!”
But Ms. Bridgette, SPPF’s passionate CEO, knew that exposing students to new possibilities was key to their growth. Patiently and persistently, she guided him through research, conversations, and career exploration. Together, they discovered that learning about business—particularly entrepreneurship—could open doors, even to his original dream of owning a restaurant.
That spark ignited something bigger. Today, that same student is a proud member of Future Business Leaders of America. He’s preparing to compete at the state level and has his eyes set on the national stage. Even more exciting, he was recently selected to attend a prestigious summer business program at Columbia University.
This incredible transformation was made possible in part by a two-year operating grant from the Pinellas Community Foundation. By investing in SPPF, PCF helped advance the organization’s mission: to close the academic achievement gap and build a pipeline of future-ready leaders.
As SPPF envisions a generation of students prepared to thrive—academically, emotionally, and professionally—stories like this remind us why our work matters. With community support and the right opportunities, today’s learners become tomorrow’s leaders.
Starting Right, Now
After years of evictions, Ann’s (pseudonym) family finally managed three years of stable housing. Her dad worked as a security guard, her grandmother worked as a toll booth operator, and her older brother worked at Family Dollar. When Ann’s grandmother passed away, the summer before her junior year, they once again struggled to pay bills. The car was repossessed. Eviction notices arrived. The police escorted them from the property. Her dad, brother, and she moved to a motel. When they could no longer afford a room, they pitched a tent in the
woods. Eventually Ann’s school social worker connected her to Starting Right, Now (SRN). She moved into SRN housing and began to make use our wrap-around services.
Reflecting on her first year in SRN, Ann once wrote, “Since joining SRN, I have received so much care. I have a mentor who makes me feel special and loved. She celebrates my birthday and the holidays with me, the way my mom once did. The staff arranges for me to receive dental and health care as well as therapy. I am given academic support, and my grades improve. The end of my junior year, I earn my best report card ever. As I enter my senior year, I am focused on my future goals. After graduation, I want to attend college to become a veterinary technician.”
In SRN’s care Ann did graduate high school on time. She continues to receive our care management as she completes college, of which she just finished her first semester!
For youth experiencing homelessness, the path to stability isn’t just about shelter, it’s about belonging, education, and opportunity. Starting Right, Now is making that path possible by providing safe housing, mentorship, and life-changing resources.
Through a grant from Pinellas Community Foundation, we’re proud to support SRN’s mission, helping students:
- Secure stable housing and essential needs
- Graduate high school on time (100% success rate!)
- Pursue higher education, vocational training, or military service
- Develop financial literacy and workforce skills for self-sufficiency
This is the power of investing in community-driven solutions. With the right support, these young people aren’t just overcoming obstacles—they’re building brighter futures.
The Power of Connection… Voices of Hope for Aphasia
For individuals living with aphasia, communication can feel like an isolating challenge. But at Voices of Hope for Aphasia, members find more than just support—they find a community where they can connect, express themselves, and regain confidence in their voices.
T, a Clearwater resident who joined Voices of Hope in late 2024, shared how the program has been a vital part of her recovery journey after experiencing a stroke nearly two years ago. Through monthly gatherings, group outings, and opportunities to engage in meaningful activities, she’s found a welcoming space where she can share her experiences, build friendships, and express herself with confidence.
PCF is proud to invest in organizations like Voices of Hope for Aphasia, through our grants program ensuring that individuals affected by aphasia have access to life-enriching programs that create connection, empowerment, and belonging.
Girls Rock St. Pete – Finding Her Voice, Haley’s Story
When Haley arrived at Girls Rock St. Pete, she was used to being misunderstood. Her energy was seen as defiance, and fitting in always felt just out of reach. But at camp, something changed. Instead of trying to “fix” her, mentors and peers celebrated who she was. Her loud laugh, her impulsive energy, her creativity—they weren’t problems, they were strengths.
She found confidence behind the drums, a place where her mind and body could finally be at ease. Through music, movement, and friendship, Haley learned that being herself didn’t have to come with negative consequences. She left camp not as a different person, but as someone who finally felt like she belonged.
PCF is proud to support organizations like Girls Rock St. Pete, where young people find community, self-expression, and the power to embrace who they are.
