By Zermi Jenkins, Contributor
ST. PETERSBURG — The Gathering of Women is a vital, local nonprofit that provides essential nourishment to families in need through their food pantry and offers free music lessons to students through the GOW Music Academy. In a recent appeal letter, founding board member Samantha Richardson summed up the initiative’s focus.
“Our mission is simple yet profound: to empower our youth and support families in need.” The organization has provided educational scholarships to help students attend college, and run a community garden, teaching youth gardening and healthy eating strategies.
Additionally, the GOW Food Pantry delivers an average of over 700 boxes of food weekly and serves approximately 250 individuals a day on Thursdays and Fridays.
Like most nonprofits that are 100% volunteer-run, GOW relies on grants and donations; with SNAP benefits threatened, needs have skyrocketed. A recent emergency grant from Pinellas Community Foundation softened the threat of a terrible November for many – but Richardson acknowledges the ongoing need will quickly consume the emergency funding.
Now, with the holiday season in swing, the Gathering of Women has partnered with The Spirit of Tampa
Bay Community Choir to bring a special fundraising concert featuring Jamal Roberts on December 16, 2025, at 7 pm.
PURCHASE TICKETS: https://mypalladium.org/events/an-evening-with-jamal-roberts-2025-american-idol-winner/
Mississippi-born Jamal Roberts won Season 23 of American Idol with a record-setting 26 million votes, the highest since the show’s move to ABC-Hulu. Jamal has swiftly transitioned from a fan favorite to a chart-topping artist.
SHAWN BROWN discusses upcoming JAMAL ROBERTS concert at the Palladium on December 16:
The Spirit of Tampa Bay Community Choir enhances the mental and physical well-being of Tampa Bay area residents through improved social connections and increased civic engagement. The choir provides opportunities for residents to connect with like-minded people — and sometimes build lasting friendships.
The choir always performs at events free of charge and donates uniforms and money to local elementary and middle schools, as well as blankets to the unhoused.
“The idea for the concert emerged from a desire to unite our community while raising funds for a worthy cause,” noted Richardson. “After discussing various fundraising options, we realized that music brings people together and creates an enjoyable atmosphere.”
Jamal Roberts’ debut single, “Heal,” debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs and Gospel Digital Song Sales charts, gaining a spot in the top 10 on the Gospel Streaming Songs chart, considered a significant accomplishment for a debut release.
“This event will play a crucial role in helping us sustain our outreach efforts,” GOW’s appeal stated, noting that tickets can be purchased at the Palladium (purchase tickets here).
Those unable to attend can donate to Gathering of Women via PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/gow325.
Gathering of Women’s impact includes providing educational scholarships to help students attend college, and their community garden, where they have instructed youth in gardening and healthy eating strategies.
Among GOW’s successes, the organization relays stories of transformations in the lives of youth they have touched – a young man who couldn’t afford the music lessons he longed for, ultimately learning to read music and gaining his own instrument; a young woman whose college dreams would have been thwarted without the scholarship program’s support.
Richardson shared, “At our food pantry (located at 1801 34th Street South in St. Pete) we strive to make a significant impact on our community by providing nourishment to those in need. On average, we distribute approximately 3,500 pounds of food each week. This includes a variety of non-perishables, fresh produce, and essential items.”
She stressed that even as many people are still facing shortages and reduced food stamps. “To help others, we must continue providing food,” she shared.
Richardson also noted that it’s imperative to continue to advocate for policies that support those in need, share resources through local networks, and offer emotional support by connecting with individuals who are affected. “Together, we create strength in solidarity.”
Learn more about the Gathering of Women by following them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GOWfoodpantry/.
