Pinellas County requires volunteers to safely provide meals to kids in need

Pinellas County needs volunteers to help a network of nonprofits, schools and government agencies provide hundreds of thousands of meals each week during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pinellas County Schools has particular need of volunteers to assist with curbside meal distribution at 22 campus locations across the county for the remainder of the school closure. Personal protective gear is provided, and COVID-19 safety measures are in place for volunteers. Details can be found online at Volunteer Florida’s website.

Residents can also donate non-perishable foods or money to support their neighbors, many of whom may be seeking food assistance for the first time. Residents can also help by checking on elderly or homebound neighbors from a safe distance to ensure they are receiving adequate food and supplies.

Food assistance available in every part of Pinellas County

As the impacts of the pandemic have grown over the past month, so have local efforts to provide food and other assistance.

That’s why Pinellas County Emergency Management has partnered with Feeding Tampa Bay, Pinellas County Schools, Juvenile Welfare Board and dozens of other food banks, nonprofits and community organizations to make sure food is available for residents in every part of the county. Resources include:

•Food Pantries & Prepared Meal Distribution Sites: find the nearest location with this interactive map.
•Mobile Food Pantries: find the next one in your neighborhood with this online calendar.
•School Meals: to find the schools near you that are offering meals to students during school closures, visit the Summer BreakSpot website.
•Home Meal Delivery for Kids & Seniors: Meals on Wheels for Kids brings meals to families that don’t have transportation. Neighborly Care Network/Meals on Wheels for Seniors: drive-thru and delivery options available for older adults 60+ with safe social distancing – Call 727-573-9444
•For more food sites, see Feeding Tampa Bay’s Online Map of Local Food Pantries.

Apply for food assistance

Many requirements to apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have been waived to help more people get immediate help paying for essentials. Apply online or call 866-762-2237 or 850-300-4323 (TTY 1-800-955-8771). Agents are available for extended hours, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

As additional assistance becomes available, Pinellas County will continue to share updates on this website: www.PinellasCounty.org/Covid19.

To view the full news story by The Patch, visit https://patch.com/florida/pinellasbeaches/pinellas-county-require-volunteers-safely-provide-meals-kids-need