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Matty Williams center reports expanded emergency housing help, food demand and near-complete expansion
Summary
Matty Williams Neighborhood Family Center told the commission it adopted out 700 children in a holiday toy drive, has rehomed four storm-displaced families with six more waiting through a new county Family Support Initiative partnership, and reported sharply increased weekly food pantry use.
David Hale, executive with the Matty Williams Neighborhood Family Center, updated the City Commission on Feb. 3 about recent relief work, new program partnerships and rising food demand.
Hale told commissioners the center and local businesses adopted out 700 children for Christmas this past season, "50 more than in any previous year," and credited city and local-business support for the increase. The center has also joined Pinellas County's Family Support Initiative, administered by the Juvenile Welfare Board, allowing direct access to funds that help rehouse families who lost homes in recent storms. "So far, since we started in the program, we've rehomed 4 families that lost everything in the storms, and we have 6 more waiting," Hale said.
Hale said the food pantry at Betty Williams serves about 200 families on average each week — a large increase from a prior average of about 50 — and noted the center has reduced some protein distributions because of cost pressures. "We would typically give them a dozen eggs a week. Now we're only able to give them 6," he said, adding that the center is continuing to serve all families and will not turn anyone away.
Separately, Jada Hooper, who identified herself as a resident and former commissioner, said expansion work at a community center she had previously sought funding for will finish within roughly 30 days. "We're within 30 days of being completed," Hooper said, referring to a 1,500-square-foot addition.
Why it matters: The center's new Juvenile Welfare Board partnership creates a direct funding channel for rehousing families displaced by storms, and commissioners noted the rise in food pantry demand as a sign of growing economic strain among local households.
Next steps: Commissioners thanked Hale and acknowledged the need for continued support. No formal municipal action or additional funding commitments were recorded at the meeting; Hale's remarks were public comment and informational.
