Community Kitchen & Resource Center
“Charity is the cement which binds Communities to God and persons to one another . . .” – St. Vincent de Paul
showers provided in 2022
MEALS SERVED IN 2022
people served monthly
Our Mission
The mission of the volunteer-driven St. Vincent de Paul Community Kitchen and Resource Center is to provide those in need solace, meals and services in an environment that fosters self-sufficiency.
We, at the Society of the St. Vincent de Paul Community Kitchen and Resource Center, have four core values that reflect our spiritual mission and form the basis of our Strategic Plan. These core values are:
1. Volunteer Service and Fellowship
2. Community Connections
3. Stewardship and Organizational Integrity
4. Dedicated to the Rule of St. Vincent de Paul
Serve your community. Love your neighbor.
Our Story
In 1982, the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen of Upper Pinellas County was formed. Initially, a small group of dedicated volunteers handed food out of a truck bed to the homeless behind the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store on North Fort Harrison Street in Clearwater. This effort expanded into a facility located in the Knights of Columbus building, then moved to Trinity Presbyterian Church in downtown Clearwater, with Calvary Baptist Church providing bus transportation.
In 1990, the Soup Kitchen moved to its permanent facility at 1345 Park Street in Clearwater. In 2016, the Soup Kitchen made a name change to the St. Vincent de Paul Community Kitchen and Resource Center. This new name reflects our efforts to expand our services beyond a hearty meal to help our clients find their path to self-sufficiency.
Every day of the year, over 100 people come to our Community Kitchen seeking a nutritious meal and supportive services so that they can overcome the challenges that keep them in poverty. We believe those who come to us for help and hope deserve to be treated with dignity, kindness and respect. We are called to love, because He first loved us.
You can make a difference.
We appreciate our sponsors!
Our Programs
Food
We serve a hearty, nutritious meal, including a hot entrée, side item, fresh vegetables, salad, fruit, hot soup from a slow-cooked stock, breads, dessert and hot coffee, every day of the year.
Mail Service & Emergency Supplies
Over 500 individuals annually use our address to receive mail and complete job applications. Through donations, we provide emergency hygiene items, clothing, shoes and backpacks to those in need.
Showers & Laundry
We provide showers, including towels, shampoo, soap and razors, and laundry service at no cost to our clients every weekday.
Senior Nutrition
The Senior Nutrition program consists of weekly distributions of megavitamins and nutrient-dense foods that are sustainable for homeless seniors who have no access to food storage or refrigeration. Over 170 homeless senior citizens participate in our program annually.
Employment Readiness
In partnership with PERC, we offer the STARS Employment Readiness Program, which is a four-week course that includes job training, employment and interview skills, and life coaching. This year, 40 graduates are gainfully employed and stably housed.
S.T.E.P. for Seniors
STEP (Survive the Elements) for Seniors provides clothing and gear to assist homeless clients in compensating for the health and safety deficits incurred by chronic exposure to environmental conditions while living outdoors. Both the Senior Nutrition and STEP for Seniors program is supported by Pinellas Community Foundation.
Meet our Leadership Team
Paul Terry
President
Carol Purcell
Vice President & Secretary
Jerry Gehrand
Past President
Andrew Williams
Board Member
Dierdre Dow-Chase
Board Member
Ann Rood
Board Member
John Sieh
Board Member
Christine Bond
Executive Director
Get In Touch. Get Involved.
Community Kitchen & Resource Center
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Council of Upper Pinellas County is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are fully tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.
EIN: 59-3050191