{"id":3867,"date":"2017-10-12T18:22:38","date_gmt":"2017-10-12T18:22:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bloghostdev.spcollege.edu\/president\/?p=3867"},"modified":"2023-12-13T20:10:35","modified_gmt":"2023-12-13T20:10:35","slug":"spc-supports-hungerfreestpete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.spcollege.edu\/president\/2017\/10\/12\/spc-supports-hungerfreestpete\/","title":{"rendered":"SPC supports #HungerFreeStPete"},"content":{"rendered":"

SPC President Tonjua Williams<\/a> was the keynote speaker at the St. Petersburg Free Clinic’s annual Hunger Free event on Oct. 6 at The Coliseum. The #HungerFreeStPete is an event where local leaders and community members gather to bring awareness of hunger in Pinellas County. For Williams, the cause is close to her heart.<\/p>\n

As a child growing up in poverty, Williams recounted how various people, whom she called \u201cgap-fillers,\u201d had invested in her life.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore we leave this world, you will invest in something,\u201d said Williams. \u201cLet us invest in the underdog; let\u2019s invest in hope; and let\u2019s make a difference. Some people are hidden figures who need us.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the end of the luncheon, the clinic raised a record-breaking $105,000. This will provide 420 families with food pantry visits for a year.<\/p>\n

The St. Petersburg Free Clinic<\/a> is a multi-service, independent, not-for-profit human services agency providing community neighbors assistance with food, shelter and healthcare. Since 1970, the organization has cared for under-served people facing temporary emergency needs throughout Pinellas County. The clinic provides eight programs, including:<\/p>\n