Organization: DAYSTAR LIFE CENTER INC
Mission: PROVIDES CRITICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, ELDERLY AND DISABLED TO PROMOTE STABILITY, SELF-RELIANCE & DIGNITY.
Activities: THROUGH DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS DAYSTAR DISTRIBUTED 27,669 BAGS OF FOOD TO HUNGRY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. THESE BAGS INCLUDED FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, MEATS, DAIRY PRODUCTS, CANNED GOODS, AND BAKERY ITEMS FOR NUTRITIOUS AND SUSTAINABLE MEALS. DAYSTAR CONTINUES TO PARTNER WITH NEIGHBORLY CARE NETWORK TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD TO LOW-INCOME SENIORS PARTICIPATING AT SEVERAL CONGREGATE DINING SITES AROUND PINELLAS COUNTY. 6,478 INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS TO INCLUDE SOAP, SHAMPOO, RAZORS, TOOTHPASTE, TOILET PAPER, DIAPERS, SOCKS, UNDERWEAR, AND LAUNDRY DETERGENT TO MAINTAIN THEIR DIGNITY AND HEALTH.
DAYSTAR HELPED 2,241 HOUSEHOLDS AVOID EVICTIONS AND REMAIN SAFELY IN THEIR HOMES THROUGH ASSISTANCE WITH PAST DUE RENT/MORTGAGE, ELECTRIC BILLS, WATER BILLS, AND NATURAL GAS BILLS. CLIENTS SERVED BY DAYSTAR ARE ON A FIXED INCOME AND/OR RECEIVE BELOW LIVABLE WAGES. ANY EMERGENCY OR SPIKE IN UTILITY USAGE CAN CREATE AN INABILITY TO PAY CRUCIAL BILLS. MANY LANDLORDS WILL EVICT TENANTS IF THEY DO NOT HAVE UTILITY SERVICE.
7,215 ARTICLES OF CLOTHING WERE DISTRIBUTED TO CLIENTS FOR JOB INTERVIEWS, PROTECTION IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, TO ATTEND CHURCH AND FUNERALS, OR TO REPLACE CLOTHING THAT HAS BEEN LOST, DAMAGED OR NO LONGER FITS. DAYSTAR VOLUNTEERS ASSISTED 1,588 INDIVIDUALS IN OBTAINING VITAL DOCUMENTS SUCH AS THEIR FLORIDA IDENTIFICATION AND/OR BIRTH CERTIFICATES. THESE VITAL DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR EMPLOYMENT, PERSONAL BANKING, DISABILITY BENEFITS, ACCESSING SHELTERS AND UTILIZING SOCIAL SERVICES. VOLUNTEERS WORK WITH CLIENTS TO ENSURE THEY HAVE CORRECTLY COMPLETED THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATE FORMS, MAKE COPIES OF THEIR REQUIRED BACK-UP DOCUMENTATION, RESEARCH ALTERNATIVE DOCUMENTS IF ESSENTIAL ONES WERE LOST; WRITE LETTERS.
NTEE category: Human Services
Secondary category: Housing & Shelter