Mission Impact

Restoring Stability One Family at a Time

After Hurricane Milton, one local family lost everything when the roof of their apartment unit was torn off by the storm.

Left with almost nothing, the family with two elementary-aged children struggled to rebuild and regain a sense of stability.

Thanks to support from you - our community, generous donors, dedicated volunteers, and neighborhood partners - we were able to step in. We provided essential home items, clothing, and food, helping the family begin to piece their lives back together.

Iris, who worked closely with the family, shared the mother's message of gratitude: "She wanted to make sure I thanked you for her. She was so grateful and touched by your generosity."

Their story is a reminder of the importance of coming together to support those in need. With your help, we are making a real difference, one family at a time.

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Food Pantry Farm Update

Battered by Milton, But Hope Takes Root Again

Hurricane Milton left a path of destruction in our food pantry farm, knocking down our entire banana forest and many other crops.

Garden structures, trellises, and some of our fruit trees were also blown down by the strong winds. Despite the damage, we managed to salvage some banana bunches and papayas to continue sharing with the community.

Our fantastic garden crew quickly stepped up to help clean up, replant, and start rebuilding the farm. A big thank you goes out to all the volunteers who pitched in to restore the garden after the storm. We are resilient and we’re well on our way to bringing our beautiful farm back to life.

New Worm Bin Brings Life to Our Garden

After cleaning up Milton's mess, we invited new life into the farm.

Our garden crew welcomed Ana Maria Quintero from Laica Worms to host a worm composting class.

Ana Maria generously donated a large green worm bin to our farm and shared her expertise on getting it set up. Our new bin is now home to some very busy worms, who have settled in with a diet of food scraps, mulch, and paper strips.

These worms will play a vital role in our garden's health by transforming scraps into nutrient-rich castings, which we’ll use as organic fertilizer for our garden beds.

With weekly feedings and monthly castings separation, we’re excited to keep our garden thriving. Here’s to healthy soil and happy worms!

We have received a $20,000 grant from the Pinellas Community Foundation and the Tampa Bay Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund to support recovery efforts for those impacted by recent storms.

This funding is essential in helping us reach the most affected families and individuals with immediate assistance.

In addition to our regular services, we’ll be holding food pantry pop-ups to meet urgent needs in the community.

Our first pop-up took place alongside our recent podiatry clinic, giving those in need access to both food and essential health services in one stop. We were able to distribute 1,812 lbs of food at the event.

This grant will allow us to continue providing relief to our neighbors when they need it most. We’re grateful for the trust and support of the Pinellas Community Foundation and the Tampa Bay Relief Fund as we work together to help our community rebuild.

Grants Fuel Our Mission to Provide Healthy Food and Education

We're thrilled to share that we’ve also received four generous grants to continue our efforts in providing healthy food options and experiences for the community. These grants will support our ongoing work, including the Kids EAT (Education & Agriculture Training) program, our healthy food pantry, and a new initiative for children.

Thanks to funding from Publix Supermarket Charities and the St. Elizabeth Mission Society, we can continue the Kids EAT program for another year. This initiative offers children aged 5-12 hands-on learning in our food pantry farm and training kitchen, where they explore food growth, cooking skills, and nutrition in a fun and interactive environment.

Additionally, a grant from the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation will help us maintain our healthy food pantry program, ensuring that nutritious food remains accessible to those in need.

We’re also excited to introduce Little Bites of Hope, a healthy kids program supported by Suncoast Credit Union. Through this program, children will be able to shop a mini, kid-friendly section of our pantry stocked with healthy snacks and meal options.



We are incredibly grateful for this support, which allows us to keep growing and serving our community.

Thank you to our generous grantors for making it all possible!

October is National Financial Planning Month

The Holidays are Coming Up: 8 Tips to Avoid Overspending

We recognize National Financial Planning Month in October. Financial planning is incredibly important, as it helps you set clear goals, manage your resources effectively, and develop a roadmap for your future security and stability.

With the holidays quickly approaching, it's crucial to have a plan in place to avoid overspending. We've compiled a list of helpful tips for how you can enjoy every bit of holiday fun without the stress of extra expenses.

Tips to help keep holiday spending in check:

1. Set a Budget Early – Decide on a spending limit for gifts, food, travel, and decorations. Knowing your total helps you make informed choices.
2. Track Expenses – List each purchase as you make it. This keeps you aware of how close you are to your budget.
3. Prioritize Gifts – Start with a list of people you’re buying for, and focus on those who mean the most. Consider group gifts for families or gift exchanges to simplify.
4. Shop with Cash or Debit – Avoid credit when possible to keep your budget real. Using cash makes it easier to see how much you’re spending.
5. Look for Sales, Discounts, and Promo Codes – Plan around holiday sales like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, but stick to your list to avoid impulse buys.
6. DIY Gifts and Decorations – Homemade items can be meaningful, budget-friendly alternatives to store-bought gifts and decor.
7. Plan Holiday Meals Carefully – Decide on a menu early, and take advantage of store sales in the weeks leading up to the holidays to avoid last-minute overspending.
8. Avoid Last-Minute Shopping – The closer to the holidays, the more likely you are to overspend. Shopping early gives you time to compare prices and think twice.

October Volunteer Spotlight

This month, we're shining a light on Jim Barron, a very important member of our team!

Jim serves as a grocery runner, and works in our pantry to help families access the essentials they need. His efforts make a real difference every single day.

Thank you for your commitment to supporting our community, Jim!

October Birthdays: Celebrating Our Team

October is a special month for birthdays at Daystar! With a small team of just eight staff members, we’re excited to celebrate two birthdays in the same week!

Happy Birthday to Maria, whose special day was celebrated on October 25th! Maria, we honor you for the kindness, dedication, and care you bring to Daystar. Your compassionate heart touches so many lives, and we are truly thankful for the difference you make every day.

Happy Birthday to Larry, whose birthday is on October 26th! Larry, we celebrate you as a true Daystar superstar. Your longtime dedication to our mission is inspiring, and your hard work and commitment have made an incredible impact. We’re so grateful for all you do to keep things running smoothly.

Wishing both Maria and Larry fantastic birthdays filled with joy and happiness! We’re lucky to have you as part of our team and look forward to many more years of making a difference together!

Daystar Kids EAT Returns for a New Season of Fun and Learning

We’re excited to announce the first Kids EAT event of the season on Saturday, November 9th!

Kids EAT (Kids Education & Agricultural Training) is a hands-on experience for children ages 5-12, designed to connect them with where their food comes from.

During the event, kids will spend time in our organic garden learning about food growth, then join a trained nutritionist in our kitchen to cook a delicious dish using fresh ingredients straight from the farm.

Each child will take home a cooking utensil kit, apron, and kid-friendly cookbook to continue their learning journey. We’re deeply grateful to our sponsors, Publix Charities and the St. Elizabeth Mission Society, for making this program possible.

Spaces are limited, so please reserve your spot on Eventbrite today!

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, November 9th

Time: 10 AM - 12 PM

Location: 1055 28th St. S., St. Pete, FL 33712

Our Mission



We fight hunger, poverty, and hopelessness

by providing the necessities of life to our neighbors in need.



We engage, educate, and empower the community by promoting the value of nutrition and financial literacy.



Our mission would not be achievable without the support of our community, including individuals, corporations, and groups who share our vision.

We deeply appreciate these partnerships and value the role they play in helping us advance our work in the community.

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Daystar Life Center, Inc. is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your donations are deductible for federal income tax as allowed by law.