St. Pete social workers prepare for cold weekend and distribute CALL program supplies

St. Petersburg's CALL program is packing and handing out 'Totes of Hope' and other cold-weather supplies to residents during the cold weekend, and Gulf Coast JFCS reports the program had helped about 19,000 people through Dec. 15, 2025.

Social workers in St. Petersburg are preparing for a cold weekend by packing and distributing cold-weather supplies through the Community Assistance and Life Liaison (CALL) program. The program added "Totes of Hope" to provide immediate, tangible items when temperatures drop. CALL began about five years ago as a partnership between St. Pete police and social workers and has evolved to meet a range of needs. Staff say these supplies matter especially when it is cold but not cold enough for shelters to open. Key details: - The CALL program is led by Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services and responds to calls routed through the St. Petersburg police dispatch center. - Workers pack and hand out "Totes of Hope" and other cold-weather items to people who need warmth or hygiene supplies in the moment. - The program started as a police-social worker partnership and has grown and changed over roughly five years. - Gulf Coast JFCS reported the CALL program had helped residents about 19,000 times as of Dec. 15, 2025. - According to Gulf Coast JFCS, roughly 50% of contacts were residents asking for help with material needs and 39% involved mental health support. Summary: The CALL program provides immediate, tangible support during cold snaps and has adapted its response over several years to better meet residents' needs. The addition of cold-weather supplies aims to fill gaps when shelters are not open and to offer security for people who lack basic items. The program's reported contact totals show it is a frequently used resource in the community. Undetermined at this time.