Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center

09/09/2026

The Food Pantry at Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center is undergoing a major expansion—and when it is completed, it will be a game changer for the hundreds of families who depend on us.

In the meantime, Food Pantry Director Ellen Young, her staff and our amazing volunteers are true champs. Week after week, they continue distributing food despite some incredibly challenging conditions. Construction hasn’t stopped the need—and it hasn’t stopped our team.

Families often ask whether we also have toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo and conditioner. These everyday necessities can take a real bite out of a household budget.

Please help us restock our shelves with: toothpaste, bars of soap, shampoo, conditioner and deodorant.

A few essentials can make a meaningful difference in a family’s life. Donations may be dropped off at Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center. Best days: Monday through Wednesday from 8:30am to 5:00pm. Thank you for helping us care for our neighbors while we build a stronger Food Pantry for the future.

09/09/2026

The Mattie Williams Center -- all the staff and all the volunteers -- could not be prouder of Ellen Young. She is so deserving of this recognition and can't wait to celebrate with her at the Anniversary Reception and Partner Recognition. Please join us for this special night. Ticket info below.

Introducing Our Inaugural Spirit of Service Award Recipient: Ellen Young

Service has the power to change a community—one person, one family and one act of generosity at a time.

Pinellas Opportunity Council is proud to recognize Ellen Young, Food Pantry Director at Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center, as the inaugural recipient of POC's Spirit of Service Award.

The award honors an outstanding community volunteer whose service makes a difference. Ellen exemplifies that spirit through her commitment to helping individuals and families in our community.

Please join us in celebrating Ellen at POC's Better Together: Anniversary Reception & Partner Recognition on September 30.

📅 September 30 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.
📍 Savant on Second, St. Petersburg

Visit https://secure.qgiv.com/for/p5arpr to purchase tickets or explore sponsorship opportunities.

Better Together. Stronger Community.

09/04/2026

The Mattie Williams Center and After-School Childcare Program will be closed on Monday, September 7th for the Labor Day holiday. Wishing you a wonderful, long weekend with family and friends.

08/31/2026

When you head to the grocery store this week, we have a favor to ask. Would you please add one more box of cereal to your cart? Cereal continues to be the most-asked food item in our Food Pantry. With school being in session, it’s a quick, kid-friendly snack and in some cases dinner for children.

Any brand, any variety. You can make a difference for local children. Thank you!

Donation Drop off at the Mattie Williams Center.
1003 Dr. MLK Jr. St. No., Safety Harbor
Monday – Wednesday
9am to 5pm

08/25/2026

Our cereal shelves need some help!

School is back, and cereal is once again one of the most requested—and fastest moving—items in the Mattie Williams Food Pantry.

We held a cereal drive earlier this summer, and our community came through for us. Now we need your help again.

If you're grocery shopping this week, would you add a box or two of cereal to your cart for a local family? Any brand or variety is appreciated.

Donations can be dropped off at the Mattie Williams Center, 1003 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N., Safety Harbor, Monday–Wednesday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

One extra box in your cart can put breakfast on another family's table.

Thank you!

08/24/2026

Food insecurity is more than an empty fridge — it can place deep stress on families and increase the risk of child welfare involvement.

But here’s the important point: food insecurity alone is not neglect. It is often a sign that families need support before challenges become a crisis.

In Florida, nearly 3 million people—1 in 8 residents—receive food support through SNAP. Many are working families, older adults, people with disabilities, or families with children.

SNAP plays a critical role in helping families put food on the table. For every 1 meal provided by a food bank, SNAP can provide 9 meals, making it an essential partner in addressing food insecurity.

Access to SNAP can also make a lasting difference for children, including better health outcomes and greater likelihood of attending and graduating from high school.

When families can meet basic needs, children are safer, parents are less stressed, and communities are stronger.

JWB’s Childhood Hunger Collaborative is proud to invest in programs, like the St. Petersburg Free Clinic, that help combat food insecurity for children in tandem with programs like SNAP. Together, we can ensure that every child has the supports and resources to grow and thrive!

08/02/2026

While some of the staff were busy at the Back to School Celebration at Bayside, our team member Shakita was at the Clearwater School Bash ensuring children in Clearwater also are ready for this next school year. Mattie Williams is one of the community partners that participates in this amazing event every year. Check out the Bay News 9 story on the event. https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2026/07/29/easing-back-to-school-burden

08/02/2026

Our Back-to-School Celebration was about so much more than handing out backpacks—it was about welcoming families, connecting them with valuable community resources, and giving children an exciting start to the new school year.

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing Mattie Williams team, who greeted every family with kindness, helped children find their new backpacks, and worked tirelessly to ensure the day ran smoothly.

We are also incredibly grateful to our outstanding community partners who helped make the day so special:

Kiwanis Club of Safety Harbor the Official Backpack Sponsor, providing brand-new backpacks for every student.

Lions Club of Safety Harbor for offering free vision and hearing screenings to help students start the school year healthy and ready to learn.

Shear Joy Salon and Floyd's 99 Barbershop for styling and cutting more than 75 heads of hair!

Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County for pencil pouches for each backpack

Speak Up: Let’s Talk About Mental Health Non Profit

Safety Harbor Recreation - Government with a special appearance by everyone's favorite mascot, Fiona!

Corey Thornton Productions for keeping the celebration lively with great entertainment.

Safety Harbor Public Library

GFWC North Pinellas Woman's Club for the free books to encourage a lifelong love of reading.

League of Women Voters of the US

Kinship: Children’s Home Network

Florida School Readiness

Bayside Church, Safety Harbor for hosting and providing grilled hot dogs, chips and drinks to everyone attending.

…and the many other organizations and volunteers who shared information, resources, and smiles throughout the day.

A very special thank you to the Safety Harbor Fire Department for bringing a fire engine and giving children the chance to climb aboard, explore, and meet our hometown heroes.