Access to fresh, nutritious food is expanding in Lealman as St. Pete Free Clinic (SPFC) launches a new appointment-based Lealman Fresh Pantry at the Jared S. Hechtkopf Community Food Bank, also known as Jared’s Food Bank.
The new pantry offers Lealman residents a grocery store-style shopping experience at no cost, allowing families to choose the foods that best fit their household and nutritional needs.
Rather than receiving a pre-packed box, shoppers visit the pantry by appointment and select from a range of fresh groceries, including produce, meat, dairy, eggs and bread.
The model is designed to offer more than food assistance. By giving shoppers the ability to make their own selections, the pantry provides greater choice, flexibility and dignity for families navigating food insecurity.
Meeting a Growing Need in Lealman
The expansion comes at a time when many Lealman households are struggling to keep up with the cost of basic necessities.
According to the United Way Suncoast’s 2025 ALICE Report, nearly 69% of households in Lealman are either living below the Federal Poverty Level or are classified as ALICE — Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The designation describes households that earn more than the federal poverty threshold but still do not earn enough to afford basic household expenses.
For SPFC, the new location builds on years of serving the Lealman community.
More than 2,000 Lealman residents currently access SPFC’s FRESH Pantry services each month through the organization’s downtown St. Petersburg location and its mobile drive-thru distribution in South St. Petersburg.
The new location at Jared’s Food Bank puts those resources closer to many of the families who rely on them.
Choice at the Center of the Experience
The Lealman Fresh Pantry is structured more like a neighborhood grocery store than a traditional food distribution site.
Shoppers can select from available foods based on their family’s preferences and nutritional needs, helping them bring home groceries they are more likely to use and enjoy.
“After serving the Lealman community for many years, we’ve seen firsthand the growing need for affordable, healthy food,” said Jennifer Yeagley, CEO of St. Pete Free Clinic. “We’re proud to bring the free FRESH Pantry experience to Jared’s with an appointment-based model and to continue working alongside our community partners to meet our neighbors’ most pressing needs.”
The appointment-based approach also creates a more personalized experience for residents while expanding SPFC’s ability to connect people with healthy food in the communities where they live.
Connecting Food and Community
Founded in 1970, St. Pete Free Clinic provides nutritious food, health care and community support services throughout Pinellas County.
The organization works through programs and partnerships designed to improve food security, expand access to health care and connect residents with resources that can contribute to long-term stability.
The Lealman Fresh Pantry adds another piece to that effort, bringing fresh food directly into a community where the need is significant and making the experience of accessing that food more flexible and personal.
Residents interested in visiting the pantry can schedule a shopping appointment through the Jared’s Food Bank appointment portal.