Food Drive Estimated to Provide 5 Months of Non-Perishable Food for Local Domestic Violence Center
March 14, 2017, St. Petersburg, FL – CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse) held its second annual “Soup-er Bowl Food Drive for a Safe Home” in January and February 2017 to collect non-perishable food for domestic violence survivors in need. What happened when the Tampa Bay community learned about this initiative was amazing.
CASA carries a great responsibility on its shoulders. As the official domestic violence center for southern Pinellas County, Florida, it is a vital safety net for people either trapped in abusive relationships or dealing with the hardships, trauma and danger that may exist even after leaving an abuser. Many people in these difficult situations, including more than 100 children and adults living in CASA’s domestic violence shelter, rely on short-term assistance from CASA to provide nutritious meals for their family.
It is not hard to imagine how incredibly expensive providing for all those people can be. Seeing this difficulty, the generous Tampa Bay community banded together to support CASA’s Soup-er Bowl Food Drive. The result? More than 50 organizations volunteered to help, eventually filling over 200 large boxes with food! They collected enough non-perishable food estimated to last CASA’s domestic violence shelter five full months.
CASA acknowledges the many participating organizations listed below for their tremendous efforts. Among the most generous were CASA’s Soup-er Bowl 2017 sponsors Bare Board Group, Rotary International and media sponsor Tampa Bay Times. Major supporters included Allen Collins Realty, Eagle Asset Management, H&R Block, Pinellas County “Volunteers in Pinellas,” Raymond James, SPC Women on the Way, UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program, United Way Suncoast and West Pharmaceutical Services.
Of the 50+ supporting organizations, which was the very top contributor of food and volunteers? By CASA’s final count, the 2017 CASA Soup-er Bowl MVP is…. the Raymond James/Eagle Asset Management team led by Sheila King and Carrie Gill!
“Everyone involved has made a huge difference to survivors of domestic violence with their donation of time, food, money and effort,” said John Biesinger, CASA’s Manager of Major Gifts. “Along with all the parents and kids who are enjoying the ‘food security’ they provided, we thank our supporters for their generosity and enthusiasm.”
This year marks CASA’s 40th anniversary serving the community. To learn about CASA’s programs and initiatives, please visit www.casa-stpete.org, email info@casa-stpete.org or call 727-895-4912. For assistance with domestic violence-related issues, please call CASA’s 24-hour hotline: 727-895-4912 (TTY: 727-828-1269). To donate or learn how your financial sponsorship in CASA can provide fresh food to children and adults in need, please visit www.casa-stpete.org/SouperBowl.
Media Contact: Mo Venouziou, mvenouziou@casa-stpete.org
CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse)
www.casa-stpete.org | info@casa-stpete.org | 727-895-4912
ABOUT CASA (COMMUNITY ACTION STOPS ABUSE)
This year marks the 40th Anniversary for CASA, the official domestic violence center for southern Pinellas County. CASA operates the area’s 24-hour hotline and 100-bed emergency shelter, offers community support groups, provides courtroom advocacy (ex. support navigating the restraining order process), assists the Child Protective Investigative team and conducts community and corporate training. In addition, CASA’s Peacemakers teach anti-bullying and healthy relationship curriculum throughout the Pinellas County school system to end the generational cycle of violence.
CASA’s vision is a community without domestic violence so that home is a safe place. CASA’s mission is to raise our voices against violence through advocacy, empowerment and social change. To learn more visit www.casa-stpete.org, find us on Facebook at facebook.com/CASAStPete or contact us at info@casa-stpete.org / 727-895-4912. For assistance with domestic violence-related issues, please call CASA’s 24-hour hotlines: 727-895-4912 and TTY: 727-828-1269.