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10/29/2025

St. Petersburg Housing Authority Operating Community Food Pantry

Food Security during Uncertain Times

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (OCTOBER 29, 2025) - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) is operating a food pantry at Jordan Park to help residents access food and household essentials.

The Jordan Park Community Food Pantry is open to Jordan Park residents every Thursday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and it is located at the Jordan Park Clubhouse.

  • Days: Every Thursday
  • Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location: Jordan Park Clubhouse, 1245 Jordan Park St. S. St. Petersburg, FL 33712

"This food pantry represents more than just access to essential groceries; it symbolizes our commitment to creating opportunities for stronger communities," said Michael Lundy, President and CEO of SPHA. "We're proud to offer a reliable source of food security during uncertain times. With the uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits during the ongoing government shutdown, this food pantry will help fill in the gaps."

The idea for the food pantry originated from SPHA's community partner, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, as part of their after-school food program. SPHA's Director of Social Services, Kiara Lovett, collaborated with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast to bring the initiative to life. "Having the pantry on-site eliminates many barriers," Lovett explained. "The food pantry offers a sense of security for many households."

Corey Givens Jr., Council Member for District 7 and a Jordan Park native, expressed his support for the Jordan Park Community Food Pantry, "I am elated to see this food pantry making a positive impact here," Givens said. "We will do all we can to keep this pantry full. Local government can find solutions. By working directly with residents we can find solutions that are culturally affirming and empower those most affected to take control of their health and well-being."

The food pantry is managed with the help of a dedicated team of teens from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, who stock, organize, and operate the pantry on a weekly basis.

Other partners supporting the Jordan Park Community Food Pantry include Dole, St. Pete Free Clinic, the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Partnership for a Healthier America, and the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation.

Three Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast team members in the Jordan Park Community Food Pantry.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast team members in the Jordan Park Community Food Pantry.

 

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ABOUT JORDAN PARK:

Jordan Park is a historic housing community managed by the St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA). It is known for being St. Petersburg's first African American housing community. It was originally built between 1939 and 1941.

On November 23, 2021, SPHA received approval from HUD for its Jordan Park redevelopment proposal, which would change the funding structure from Public Housing to Project-Based Vouchers and put the long-awaited community revitalization project into motion. The Jordan Park Redevelopment Project consisted of the following elements:

  • Transitioning the Jordan Park family apartments (206 units) from Public Housing to a Project-Based Voucher (PBV) funding platform.
  • Renovation of the 206 Family Units (i.e. new flooring, countertops, cabinets, washers and dryers in units, safety features, energy-efficiency improvements, etc.)
  • Construction of a new three-story, 60-unit senior midrise building (for households 62 years and older) named "The Legacy at Jordan Park."

On December 14, 2021, SPHA closed on Jordan Park in partnership with co-developer Norstar Development USA, LP, and with the investment of Fannie Mae, KeyBank, and RBC Community Investments. Partners also included the bond issuer, the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County, and the City of St. Petersburg, which provided Community Redevelopment Area funding.

On October 27, 2023, SPHA held the grand opening of "The Legacy at Jordan Park," and celebrated the completion of the newly renovated 206 Jordan Park Family Units.

 

ABOUT THE ST. PETERSBURG HOUSING AUTHORITY (SPHA):

An independent quasi-governmental entity and a political subdivision of the State of Florida, operating under Chapter 421 Florida Statutes, SPHA is the local administrative agency for housing assistance programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). SPHA offers a variety of programs and services that provide affordable rental housing to low-income families, seniors, veterans, and the disabled in the greater St. Petersburg region. For more information, visit www.stpeteha.org.

 

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