When our community comes together, incredible things happen.
Last week, Ready for Life hosted a Pantry Packing Party at the Ready for Life Skill Center in Largo in partnership with The Beth Dillinger Foundation and First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin. The event was a powerful example of compassion in motion, as volunteers and staff joined forces to support former foster youth and young families impacted by the ongoing SNAP benefit delays.
Over the course of the afternoon, tables filled with pantry staples, hearty meal supplies, and snacks became a sea of generosity. Volunteers worked side by side to pack, label, and stack hundreds of kits—each one including recipe cards and local resource guides to help ensure that support doesn’t stop at a single meal.
“Many of the young adults we serve are already struggling to make ends meet,” said Kathy Mize, CEO of Ready for Life. “Seeing so many people come together to show that they believe in their potential means more than words can express.”
The Beth Dillinger Foundation and Jay Coats provided lunch for everyone in attendance, fueling the energy and camaraderie that carried through the day. Smiles, laughter, and heartfelt conversations filled the room, creating the kind of connection that reminds everyone why Ready for Life exists: to be a bridge of hope and stability for former foster care young adults on their journey to self-sufficiency.
A special thank you to:
First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin
Rotary Club of Indian Rocks Beach
Brian and Kate Linde
Family Support Services Pasco & Pinellas Counties
Grow Financial Federal Credit Unionr
And to all our incredible volunteers!
🎥 Watch the highlight video here:
This collaborative effort showcased what’s possible when partners, volunteers, and neighbors rally around a shared purpose: ensuring that every young adult in our community has what they need to move forward with confidence.
To every volunteer, partner, and supporter: thank you. Your compassion keeps Ready for Life’s mission alive and proves that when our community acts together, no one is left behind.
