The Most Good, Through the Holidays and Year Round
The motto of The Salvation Army is “Doing the Most Good,” which is ever-apparent during the holiday season – perhaps the iconic organization’s busiest time.
The Salvation Army of Greater St. Petersburg (SAGSP) has an on-site food pantry stocked through donations and community partnerships that operate throughout the year. In the fall, a major food drive helps secure more donations for the winter holidays in addition to its usual stock of non-perishables, plus fresh, seasonal produce and vegetables.
“Our holiday season kicks off with the Holiday Food Drive, which helps families throughout Southern Pinellas County,” says Kim Duncan, development coordinator for The Salvation Army’s Florida Division, St. Petersburg Area Command. “Not only does it provide items for holiday meals to ensure families and friends can gather for a celebratory meal, it also helps stock our on-site Food Pantry that helps those who might otherwise go hungry.”
The service is a lifeline many underserved families in the local community. It’s serious work, but not without a festive spirit.
“We also have a Turkey Toss the Monday before Thanksgiving, where those in need can come pick up a turkey for their holiday meal. The turkeys are provided by a local, anonymous donor to help ensure everyone gets to experience holiday cheer and nourishment,” she said.
The Salvation Army provides services throughout southern Pinellas County. In 2024, SAGSP served more than 276,031 men, women, and children, providing 127,064 meals and 43,823 nights of shelter in the community, Duncan said.
Volunteers will come on board these next couple months to help with the Angel Tree Program, the Angel Tree Toy Run, as ringers for the Red Kettle Campaign, and onsite at the emergency shelter during the Thanksgiving and Christmas Day meals.
Last year they helped give 26,572 gifts to children and seniors in need, and throughout the year they distributed 3,470 bags of food to families struggling to make ends meet.
“The largest requests for help come during the holiday season. Without the services we provide, many in our community would be hungry, lonely, and without hope,” Duncan said. “All the initiatives that drive us forward in the holiday season ensure that the most vulnerable in our community get to experience a nutritious meal, a warm place to sleep, some Christmas magic, and get to feel hope for a better future.”
The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 in London by William Booth and started providing services in the United States in 1880. The Salvation Army annually helps more than 27 million people in America overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships in nearly every ZIP code. By providing food, shelter, eviction prevention assistance, emergency disaster relief, rehabilitation, after-school and summer youth programs, spiritual enrichment, and more, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 6,400 centers of operation around the country, according to Duncan.
Initiatives in St. Pete include the One-Stop Shop that provides help with job searching; an emergency shelter for individuals and families; the Kettle Classic Golf Tournament; utility assistance; and emergency disaster services.
“To see people overcome with gratitude and hope when they are provided with services that can put them on a path to self-reliance is amazing,” says Duncan. “To know that the initiatives and programs we provide can change lives, makes everyone in our organization fill with pride and renews our dedication.”
Various Salvation Army centers around south Pinellas offer myriad resources, including Sunday worship services, food and clothing assistance, medication payment assistance, anti-human trafficking initiatives, planned giving with wills and trusts, residential housing, individual and group therapy, the Pathway of Hope program for families in need, and community building like gaming, basketball, crafts, LEGO building and grief share programs and much more. Additionally, the local Salvation Army’s Sallie House offers a 24-bed group home for misplaced children ages 6 to 18, and The Children’s Village has four foster homes with state-certified foster parents.
If you’re looking for a volunteer or donation opportunities during the holidays – or any time throughout the year – visit stpetersburg.salvationarmyflorida.org.
