Program areas at St. Petersburg Free Clinic
Jared S. Hechtkopf Community Food Bank was established in 1980 as the second food bank in Florida, it solicits food products from all segments of the food industry, as well as from groups and organizations through food drives and individual donations. Jared's Food Bank distributes food free of charge to between 50 and 60 partner agencies throughout the community, including food pantries, shelters, community kitchens, missions, residential programs, and childcare centers. These include the SPFC We Help FRESH Pantry, Baldwin Women's Residence, and the SPFC Men's Residence. Jared's Food Bank collected and distributed approximately 20 million pounds of food in fiscal year 2023. Seventy percent of the food distributed through Jared's Food Bank is fresh produce, protein, dairy, and bread. In 2022, SPFC acquired a long-term lease on a warehouse that will be renovated to serve as an expanded food bank space expected to be operable in 2024.
SPFC Health Center was established in 1970, the Health Center offers access to quality healthcare for adults aged 18 - 64 who lack health insurance and meet other income requirements, allowing them to receive primary care, as well as a range of specialty care services. What could become an emergency doesn't because of our patients' capability to connect with our providers to address their health concerns. The Health Center places particular emphasis on the management of chronic health conditions, including diabetes through the Diabetes Education Management Program, our food and Lifestyle Rx Program, and a Prescription Health Program to ensure patients can access expensive medications, like insulin, at no cost. In fiscal year 2023 the Health Center provided over 8,000 medical services and more than $3.0 million worth of prescription support to the community.
SPFC We Help Services was established in 1975 and addresses the social determinants of health by providing access to nutritious food, financial support for water and utility bills, and assistance in obtaining driver's licenses, birth certificates, and other documents to secure housing and employment. Client advocates also specialize in providing in-depth navigation for individuals who need access to community services SPFC does not provide. In fiscal year 2023, the We Help FRESH Pantry's three location (Indoor Choice, Jared's Drive Thru, and, Deuces Drive-Thru) served 438,780 duplicated individuals, representing more than 132,000 households in Pinellas County. Fifty-four percent of households served included families with children. Additionally, We Help Services provided more than 33,000 packs of period products, over 17,000 packs of diapers, and more than $300,000 in water bill support during fiscal year 2023.