Community Partnerships
Because we are compelled by Christ to be the healing presence of God’s love in the world, we work to transform the lives of the vulnerable through food, health, education, relationship building, and inclusivity initiatives.
If you would like to be more involved in this work please contact Susan Darrow (sdarrow99@me.com) or Hillary Peete (hpeete@spcathedral.com).
Volunteer in the food pantry, help with handy projects on campus, or support families during Life Skills classes. More details coming soon!
We support the students, teachers and staff at Campbell Park Elementary School throughout the year.
Peterborough Apartments provide 150 unites of affordable, supportive housing for the elderly. We regularly partner for various events and outreach drives.
Opportunities to Serve Our Community in October + November
Register to lead a 30 minute activity for kids here: https://forms.gle/TEHCJfhrxpkahTjT6
Our partner school, Campbell Park Elementary, will participate in The Great American Teach-In on Wednesday, November 13. The Cathedral’s Community Caring and Sharing Committee is encouraging members of our congregation to consider volunteering some time that day at Campbell Park. The teach-in is a nationwide activity that introduces students to career options, hobbies, role models, and activities they might otherwise never experience.
What might you do as a Teach-In volunteer? You might read a book, present an art or craft project that can be completed in 30 minutes or less, offer a puppet show, or play a game. You can talk about your occupation or your hobby, teach a song or a dance.
The teach-in is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants can select a 30-minute time slot and their preferred grade level, kindergarten through Grade 5. Campbell Park will welcome more than a dozen law-enforcement officers that day to talk about their jobs. Older students in particular would be interested to hear about your experience in other professions and occupations.
We are also seeking volunteers to staff tables for arrival sign-in throughout the day or distribute thank-you certificates. Susan Darrow can give you a short registration sheet, to be submitted by October 31, and can answer your questions: sdarrow99@me.com. The school district does not require background checks for this one-day fun and informative event. It’s all about sharing with children and setting a good example.
Monthly Outreach opportunities
Every cook — and everyone who eats Thanksgiving dinner — knows it takes a lot of time to shop and organize for it. That’s why our Community Caring and Sharing Committee is asking now for contributions to the Turkey Day dinners we provide to the families at Florida Resurrection House and to some in financial need at Campbell Park Elementary School.
There are two ways you can help:
* Donate food supplies: boxed instant mashed potatoes, canned green beans, canned cranberry sauce, and gravy (canned, jarred, or powdered.) These will go into about 50 bags for the families to prepare at home.
* Donate grocery gift cards of $35 each.
This allows the families to purchase turkeys or other meat, plus pies, rolls, perishable fruits and vegetables or dairy products ... whatever else they need. The gift cards can be from Publix, Walmart, or any other store that is easily accessible. Some of these families don’t have easy access to cars. (We respectfully ask that you not donate cards in larger dollar amounts. We want all the bags to be equal.)
Please drop off your donations by November 17 at the front desk on Sundays or during weekday business hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
January: Manna Bags
We will collect items for Manna Bags, large zip-top bags that will be handed out to people in need who come to the Cathedral seeking assistance. Each bag will contain information about local agencies that help those in need, as well as a bottle of water, snacks such as peanut-butter crackers, individual packets of fruit snacks or applesauce, and travel-size toiletries (toothpaste, lotion, hand sanitizer, etc.).
February: Florida Resurrection House Resource Room
An important way you can support families working hard to change their lives at Florida Resurrection House is by donating items to be immediately used on campus. FRH is often in need of items to fill our food pantry and resource room. There are multiple lists that are updated frequently so you can know the most critical needs as well as reoccurring needs. You can view the lists here. Please drop off your donations during office hours or on Sunday mornings.
March: MrBubblez Showers 4 the Homeless
In March our community giving opportunity focuses on a ministry to help the homeless by providing hot showers and clean clothing. These necessities help vulnerable people maintain their dignity and improve overall well-being. Mrbubblez Inc. partners with local agencies to host mobile shower events twice a month at different locations. The program provides a safe place for the homeless to refresh their bodies, rejuvenate themselves, and find some relief from being vulnerable to the elements.
Mrbubblez was the recipient of one of our microgrants. Learn more about their work at mrbubblezshowers4thehomless.org. Please bring your contributions to the front desk during the week or on Sundays.
April: Diapers for Dignity
For those who may not be able to afford incontinence supplies, the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco - Pinellas has created Diapers for Dignity, a free and anonymous incontinence supply bank. The Cathedral has a long history of supporting this vital organization. We will collect adult pull-ups, tabbed briefs, pads, and flat underpads for beds and furniture.
May: Clothes to Kids
Clothes to Kids is a local organization that provides school clothes for children ages 4-18. We will collect new socks and underwear and gently used clothing of all sizes. The goal of is to increase confidence and self esteem so children can achieve academic success. To learn more, visit https://clothestokids.org/.
June: Mercy Keepers Food Pantry is located in South St. Petersburg serves about 500 households living at or below the Federal poverty level. The food pantry is supported solely by in-kind donations and is staffed by volunteers.
Specific needs: small bottled waters, Gatorade, shelf-stable milk, pull-top canned meats (tuna, salmon, chicken, Vienna sausages, ravioli).
Please bring your donations to the front desk on Sundays or during weekday office hours. Visit www.mercykeepersinc.com/ for more information.
July:
August: Babycycle