Clearwater residents can drop off canned soup at AMPLIFY Clearwater's office through Friday, July 31, as part of a Christmas in July food drive benefiting HOPE Villages of America, the area's primary food bank.

The chamber announced the partnership in a post on the Clearwater Beach Association website Tuesday, July 28, written by Shari Maxwell. Donations are being accepted at 1346 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater.

All collected soup goes to HOPE Villages of America, led by President and CEO Nick DiCeglie, a Clearwater-based nonprofit at 700 Druid Rd. that has served Pinellas County since 1967. The organization's 2025 Annual Impact Report shows the scale of need: the food bank served 78,200 individuals last year, an increase of 12,400 over the prior year, and distributed 5 million pounds of food. One-quarter of those served were children and another quarter were elderly residents.

The food bank ran out of food on several days in 2025, forcing it to close early and turn people away.

"As the need for our Food Bank not only continues but increases, it remains a vital resource — ensuring no one in our community has to choose between food and other basic needs," Melvin Thomas, HOPE Villages' vice president of food distribution and basic needs, said in the organization's May 2026 annual report.

The food bank averages 6,500 unique visitors each month. It is open Monday through Friday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., with extended hours on Thursdays until 6:30 p.m., and can be reached at 727-443-4031.

AMPLIFY Clearwater, the North Pinellas region's chamber of commerce, can be reached at 727-461-0011 for questions about the drive.

How to help: Bring canned soup to 1346 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater, FL 33756, by Friday, July 31.

Upcoming community dates

• Friday, July 31 — Final day for AMPLIFY Clearwater's canned soup drive (1346 S. Fort Harrison Ave.)
• HOPE Villages food bank — Open Monday–Friday, 12:30–3:30 p.m.; Thursdays until 6:30 p.m. (700 Druid Rd., Clearwater)