Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger recently launched a new Meals on Wheels program in St. Petersburg, in partnership with Meals On Wheels of Tampa and Daystar Life Center, called Meals On Wheels St. Petersburg (MOWSP).

MOWSP was developed to serve seniors and 18+ homebound individuals (due to illness, injury or disability) with a hot meal delivered to their home, by a volunteer, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This program is an alternative option for: 1) people placed on a waiting list; or 2) people who do not qualify for other Meals on Wheels programs due to age.

MOWSP utilizes volunteers to deliver meals to the following St. Petersburg zip codes: 33701, 33705, 33707, 33711, 33712, and 33713. Recipients must be home to receive their food every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10:00am-2:00pm.

“We are hoping to provide a much needed service in St. Petersburg to fill the hunger gap in Pinellas county by offering all of our homebound neighbors, a hot nutritious meal. Our program aims to serve those ineligible for other meal delivery services,” said Caitlyn Peacock, Executive Director of Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger. “The network works to build a hunger-free community with access to nutritious food for all. This program will directly address any barriers to accessing healthy food that seniors and homebound in St. Petersburg may have.”

At the core of this Meals on Wheels program is a nutritious and freshly prepared hot meal providing one-third of the recommended dietary allowances delivered to the homes of seniors and homebound individuals in St. Petersburg. Recipients may experience an increase in overall nutrition, health, and food security. Eligible recipients may also report decreased feelings of loneliness and increased feelings of safety from volunteers stopping by.

The meals are prepared and packaged by Meals On Wheels of Tampa’s (550 W. Hillsborough Ave.) professional kitchen staff on the morning of delivery. The meals are then safely transported to Daystar Life Center (1055 28th St S.) in St. Petersburg where Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger volunteers pick-up the meals to then go out and deliver. Meals On Wheels St. Petersburg is a complementary, but separate, program to other meal delivery services in the area.

If you or anyone you know could benefit from this program, please call Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger at (813) 344-5837 or submit an application at www.NetworktoEndHunger.org. If eligible, meal delivery service can begin immediately.

Looking for a unique volunteer opportunity? MOWSP is in need of volunteers to help deliver meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Please complete a volunteer application by visiting http://networktoendhunger.org/mowspvolunteerapp/.

The Network is currently accepting donations at www.networktoendhunger.org to help pay for those recipients that are not able to afford the cost of their meals ($7.75/meal). A donation of just $25 will provide a week of Meals On Wheels St. Petersburg deliveries to a senior or homebound individual in need.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Meals On Wheels St. Petersburg, please contact Caitlyn Peacock, Executive Director, at Caitlyn.Peacock@NetworktoEndHunger.org or join the Network at their next community meeting on Thursday, December 12 at 9:30am at United Way Suncoast (5201 W Kennedy Blvd #600, Tampa, FL 33609) in Tampa.

About Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger:
Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger is committed to ending hunger in Tampa Bay by bringing people together to find solutions that eliminate barriers, increase access and knowledge, and expand the amount of nutritious food available. TBNEH has over 350 members and serves a tri-county area, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties. TBNEH is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency and relies on its community for support. www.NetworktoEndHunger.org

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