FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2021

Leadership PSTA Donates Bus to Reach St. Pete for Mobile Market

Mobile Market Bus Expected to Launch in January 2022

Saint Petersburg, FLA - Members of the Leadership PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) team this evening officially donated a bus to Reach St. Pete, a local non-profit, to address the growing issues of food and basic necessity insecurity as a result of the pandemic. Click here for the media kit including broadcast-quality video.

Reach St. Pete is committed to preventing and alleviating homelessness, low-income, and at-risk situations by bridging the gap between people and resources – the perfect partner to operate a retrofitted PSTA bus as a mobile market, bringing food and other resources to underserved communities across Pinellas County. More than 135,000 Pinellas County residents struggle with food insecurity. By working together, PSTA and Reach St. Pete share the goal of reaching our neighbors and making an impact in their lives.

“At PSTA we continuously strive to make a difference in our community. As a transportation agency, we pride ourselves on getting to know our riders and taking them where they need to be,” said Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA. “We often hear and see their struggles firsthand and are excited to start this great partnership with Reach St. Pete, and what better way to help our community than to bring them a busload of supplies that they may need.”

“At Reach St. Pete we strive to not only provide access to basic necessities for those in need, but we strive to show up for our community and build relationships,” said Alexia Morrison, Executive Director of Reach St. Pete. “This partnership with the PSTA and their generous donation of a city bus to make our Mobile Market a reality will change lives in our city. Not only does it bridge the physical gap for those without transportation, but the financial gap for those who may not be able to afford fresh food. This is one of many steps to improve health equity in Pinellas County.”

“We know that there is a food and basic necessity insecurity issue in Pinellas County, so why not have a bus that comes directly to our neighborhoods to help those in need,” said Pat Gerard, PSTA Board Chairwoman. “I am proud of the partnership we have created with Reach St. Pete to work together to find a solution for these problems.”

The mobile market is expected to make its debut around Pinellas County in early 2022. It will have supplies such as food, diapers, hygiene products, and more.

ABOUT PSTA: The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is the public transit provider for Pinellas County, providing more than 12.1 million rides per year. PSTA operates 40 bus and trolley routes with a fleet of 210 vehicles. More information is available at www.psta.net

ABOUT REACH ST. PETE: Reach St. Pete is a 501c3 nonprofit that prevents and alleviates homelessness, low-income, and at-risk situations by bridging the gap between people and resources. We do this by bridging the gap between people and resources in Pinellas County. Collectively we serve 5,000+ individuals each year by providing access to food, clothing, hygiene items, billing assistance, and housing assistance. More information is available at www.reachstpete.org

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Stephanie Weaver

PSTA Communications & Public Relations Manager

O: (727) 540-1853 | C: (727) 249-6542

E: Sweaver@psta.net