St. Pete Food Pantry Responds to Growing Demand: Expanded Services to Help Our Community

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Joanne Braccio has a personal connection to helping those in need. “I once scavenged for pizzas at Pizza Hut to feed my kids,” she recalls. “Now, if I can help just one family a day, it’s not just changing their lives; it changes mine too.”

As the founder of Love Thy Neighbor, a nonprofit in St. Petersburg, Braccio is expanding her food pantry and thrift shop, Love and Hope Thrift Store. The demand has soared. “We usually serve about 1,000 people, but that number has doubled,” she notes.

Recently, they have been feeding around 2,000 people every two weeks from a modest 500-square-foot pantry and a 300-square-foot shop. Braccio believes need will only grow. “We have people lining up outside. We can’t keep operating in such a small space,” she adds.

The new location will be at 7110 5th Ave. N, just a short distance from their current site. This new space measures 1,600 square feet, offering much more room to serve the community.

“With this larger space, I can help even more people. The sky’s the limit,” Braccio expresses enthusiastically.

Braccio’s goal is to generate enough income from the thrift store to support the pantry. Currently, they rely heavily on donations. “We’re covering costs out of pocket and need consistent revenue,” she explains.

Transitioning to this new space won’t come easy. “We need to install an air conditioner, which will cost over $1,300. We also need paint, racks for clothing, and shelving,” Braccio shares. They’re actively seeking donations to make this move possible.

The thrift shop operates Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The pantry’s hours are more restricted: Mondays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

A recent survey by Feeding America revealed that 53 million Americans sought food assistance in 2021, compared to 35 million in 2019. This growing need underscores the importance of Braccio’s work. As she steps up her efforts, community support will be crucial.

To learn more or support Braccio’s mission, you can visit Love Thy Neighbor online.

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