Temple Terrace council approves one-time emergency disbursement to Saint Vincent de Paul, directs staff to organize food drive

A volunteer from Saint Vincent de Paul told the Temple Terrace City Council on Nov. 4 that the local pantry was receiving far fewer regional donations following interruptions to federal benefits and asked the council for immediate help.

Dwayne Zelnosky, a volunteer with Saint Vincent de Paul, told council the pantry serves Temple Terrace ZIP codes, has relied on donated food and that recent reductions at regional distribution centers left local shelves depleted. "Without additional help and needs, we will be turning people away," Zelnosky said during public comment.

Following discussion about legal and precedent concerns, the council approved a modified motion to provide a one-time emergency disbursement of $5,000 to Saint Vincent de Paul funded from lien-related receipts, subject to legal review. Council also directed city staff to set up immediate food-collection points at city facilities and to publicize the drive so donated food can be routed quickly to local pantries.

City staff said they would confirm the legal permissibility of a direct disbursement and — whether or not that disbursement is executed — would organize collection boxes at sites such as the family recreation complex, the library and other city facilities. Council members and some residents also said they would make private donations.

The motion was intended as an emergency, one-time response to acute shortages while staff pursues longer-term coordination and outreach with regional partners and retailers.