grocery distributions

The Pop-Up Pantry is a retired PSTA bus, generously donated by the PSTA Board and the PSTA Leadership Class of 2021, that we transformed into Florida’s first free mobile grocery store.

This innovative initiative removes barriers for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity or living in food deserts—areas where access to fresh, affordable groceries is limited or nonexistent.

By bringing free, fresh groceries directly into neighborhoods, we provide a dignified shopping experience that mirrors a traditional grocery store—without using WIC or SNAP benefits.

The Pop-Up Pantry offers items like milk, eggs, bread, pantry staples, frozen goods, proteins, fruits, vegetables, and more. It also operates during extended hours to accommodate those with multiple jobs or family responsibilities.

Our Fresh & Connected Program—formerly known as the Grocery Delivery Program—launched during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since become a permanent service.

This program is designed to eliminate barriers to food access for individuals who are housebound, elderly, disabled, chronically-ill, or have barriers that make them unable to attend in-person distributions. Clients receive the same grocery options as those from our Pop-Up Pantry.

Due to high demand, applications are required. Approved clients select groceries from a menu of available items and are given a scheduled delivery time. Our staff and volunteers then assemble each box, and our drivers deliver them directly to homes, with text updates provided throughout the process.

Emergency grocery deliveries are available once per year for those who qualify. These are reserved for urgent, time-sensitive situations—such as individuals who have gone without food for several days, are experiencing a sudden crisis like eviction or job loss, or are awaiting approval for long-term support.

Our goal is to meet people at their most vulnerable moments and ensure no one is left without the basic dignity of food.

This program is funded through grants, foundations, family funds, and ongoing support from online donations. However we did not sign a grant from the government in order to keep this program free to those in need without taking from their existing SNAP/WIC benefits so we are always seeking to diversify and add to the funding for this program.
We would love your support to continue this programming. You can give directly online under our "Give Back" tab, you can set up a meeting with Alexia here for items such as assets, wire transfers, family funds, charitable trusts, and more.
Additionally we always can use extra volunteers to help distribute items, and for individuals and groups to help collect crucial pantry staples.
Learn how you can volunteer here.
Yes! They must be new, and unopened. To coordinate a pick up or drop off please e-mail info@reachstpete.org