Pinellas digest

By Times staff reports

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 31, 2001

Food Pantry wants to move to warehouse

CLEARWATER -- The Religious Community Services Food Pantry downtown is seeking city approval to move from 210 Ewing Ave. S. into a vacant warehouse beside Scotty's at Myrtle Avenue and Druid Road, said Jamia Austin, the pantry's director. The organization, which feeds up to 3,000 people monthly, must find a new home because the city of Clearwater is buying its current site from the Clearwater Housing Authority to make way for a new downtown park with a large retention pond.

If city officials approve the request in October and the lease of the property from Scotty's can be agreed upon, the pantry would move after Christmas, Austin said. About $50,000 will probably will be raised to renovate the space for the pantry, she said. Other social service organizations in the housing authority's downtown building, such as the SPARCS Value Village, are still trying to find new homes.

Volunteers sought to help elderly

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Councils of the Tampa Bay area seek volunteers to serve as advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in order to investigate and resolve resident complaints.

The volunteers' responsibilities could include periodic inspection of facilities. Travel expenses to and from facilities will be reimbursed. Prospective ombudsmen should be free from a conflict of interest and will be interviewed before selection by local council members.

The councils also are seeking specialized volunteers such as licensed pharmacists and social workers, elder law attorneys and registered dietitians.

If you are interested in volunteering, call 588-6912 for the Mid- and South Pinellas council, 834-3127 for the North Pinellas and Pasco council, or (813) 871-7185 for the West Central Florida council.

Soup kitchens need food donations

Local food pantries and soup kitchens have food shortages during the summer months and need donations of canned and/or dry goods.

Call 211 to find a food pantry or soup kitchen in your area.

Neighborhood housing services offer help

CLEARWATER -- Funds for housing rehabilitation and down payment assistance is available through the Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services Inc. To qualify, families must be at or below the 80 percent Area Median Income level. Business loans are also available throughout Pinellas County. For information on either program, call 442-4155.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright