Donate to local food banks
Donations to food pantries in our area have slowed because of COVID-19, despite increased demand for food. Feeding Tampa Bay provides food to families in need in the 10-county area of West Central Florida. Cash donations are one of the best ways to help, and according to Feeding Tampa Bay, $1 = 10 meals. The county and local community organizations are also collecting non-perishable food items to support our local food banks.
Make a monetary donation.
Donate food.
Volunteer at a meal distribution site
Pinellas County Schools is in need of volunteers to hand out meals to residents impacted by COVID-19. Opportunities are available to assist curbside meal distribution at 22 campus locations across the county for the remainder of the school year. Personal protective gear will be provided, and COVID-19 safety measures are in place for volunteers. View details about distribution locations and physical requirements.
Buy digital gift cards to support our local restaurants
Help support the local businesses that make our Pinellas County communities such a unique and special place to live. Buy a gift card to help get them through this challenging time.
Deliver a meal to a neighbor in need
Neighborly Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver 10 – 15 hot meals to homebound seniors, typically once per week between 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Volunteers can help at one of eight locations throughout the county. Fill out a volunteer application.
Donate blood
Blood donations are down nationwide, and blood centers are in critical need of donors. Local blood banks are taking precautions to keep donors safe and urging people to donate. Find a donation location
Donate or help deliver toilet paper to seniors
A coalition of local Tampa Bay area businesses, volunteers and concerned residents is working together to help ensure senior citizens have access to toilet paper during this critical time. To donate toilet paper or volunteer to deliver, visit DonateARoll.com
Volunteer to mentor a local child
Pinellas County Schools is in need of mentors for more than 500 children this school year through the Take Stock in Children and Lunch Pals mentorship programs. The programs offer 30-minute mentoring sessions each week, which can be done virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about mentoring programs.
Donate to a pet food pantry
Local organizations are accepting donations of unopened dog and cat food for their pet food pantries to help pet owners who are experiencing financial hardship.
- Donate to Pinellas County Animal Services (Largo).
Donations can be dropped off at 12450 Ulmerton Rd., Largo, FL 33774 Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
An employee will meet you at the entrance or you may call from the parking lot and an employee will come out to pick up donations. - Donate to the Humane Society (Clearwater).
- Donate to the SPCA of Tampa Bay (Largo).
- Donate to the Grassroots Kava House/Pup Active pet food pantry (St. Petersburg). — Donations of cat food and cat litter especially needed
Donate to a local nonprofit organization
- CASA: St. Petersburg domestic violence shelter CASA is housing dozens of children who are not in school or at daycare. The organization is in need of games, toys, books, cleaning supplies and other basic items to keep parents and kids healthy. View CASA’s Amazon Wishlist and donate items.
- Directions for Living is providing free emotional support counseling to any Pinellas County resident. This is an unfunded program, and so any donations will help continue the service. The organization is also accepting donations of old smartphones to help their clients access the mental health care they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Donate your old smartphone.
Make a monetary donation. - 211 Tampa Bay Cares Hope Fund helps individuals, families with minor children, and seniors in Pinellas County with financial assistance to prevent eviction, to keep utilities (electric and water), and to assist with transportation needs. All donations made to this fund will be used to help individuals, families, and seniors with financial assistance needs. Make a donation.
- Pinellas Community Foundation has created two funds to help address our community’s most pressing needs during the COVID-19 crisis. The PCF Community Recovery & Resilience Fund supports organizations fulfilling basic needs and providing critical services to help our most vulnerable, and the PCF Childhood Hunger Relief Fund targets 36,000+ children at risk of having little to no food access. Make a donation.
- Ronald McDonald House: Ronald McDonald Houses in the Tampa Bay area help the families of hospitalized children, but now volunteers can no longer come into the houses to cook for and feed those families. Donations to their emergency meals fund will help ensure these families are fed and safe. Make a donation.
If your local nonprofit organization is experiencing an increased need for donations or volunteers as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, and you would like us to help spread the word, send us a message.
