Six Pinellas County Florida Curves Partnering with Local Food Pantry to Maximize 2011 Participation in Feinstein Foundation Grant

Additional Curves Partnering with St Vincent de Paul Society this Year to Bring in More Food and Dollars for Pinellas County Hungry and Poor. End Quote

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL (1888PressRelease) April 06, 2011 - Six local Curves (Seminole, Largo, Indian Rocks-Largo, Pinellas Park North, Pinellas Park South and St Petersburg-Boyd Hill) are collecting non-perishable groceries during their April Food Drive beginning April 4th to be donated to two chapters of the St Vincent de Paul Society, the downtown St Petersburg Chapter and the St Matthew Catholic Church Chapter. In 2010, three Curves (Seminole, Largo and Bardmoor) donated almost 2,700 pounds of food. Because St Vincent de Paul submitted for matching funds under the Feinstein Foundation Grant last year, they received fund-matching credit of $1 per pound of food. With six Curves participating, all involved have high hopes of greatly increasing the total donation to St Vincent de Paul Society in 2011.

The participating Curves are rewarding women who join Curves during the Food Drive by waiving entirely their Joining Fee (Service Fee) if they bring a bag of non-perishable groceries to donate to the Food Drive.
This is a great opportunity for women who want to establish a healthy lifestyle to take that step at Curves and at the same time help the poor in our community. Of course, many of the contributions come from Curves existing members who refer to their spirit as "Curves Community".

By supporting their local community, these local Curves are following in the footsteps of the Curves Founders, Gary and Diane Heavin, who recently appeared on the TV program Secret Millionaire and gave away thousands of dollars to deserving recipients. The Heavins are very philanthropic and encourage Curves franchisees to be active in charitable events in their own communities.

This is the 14th year that the Feinstein Foundation has established this one million dollar grant to challenge other individuals to help feed the poor and hungry. The more money and food collected during this drive, the higher the percentage of the grant that is provided to each participating group.

"We are delighted that six Curves have chosen to join together this year in an effort to increase the total participation in the Food Drive and the Feinstein Foundation Grant," said Jan DeMeza, the organizer for the St Matthew Catholic Church Chapter of the St Vincent de Paul Society. "With greater participation, we will be able to bring in additional funds that would then be used to purchase food cards for our needy clients. The Curves women were generous last year and we are sure that this year they will come through for us again."

All monetary and food donations received by April 30th to either the downtown St Petersburg Chapter or the St Matthew's Chapter of St Vincent de Paul Society are eligible for the grant funds.

Anyone wishing to donate food or funds can contact their local Curves for driving directions. Curves Seminole 727-320-9737, Curves Largo E Bay 727-559-7741, Curves Indian Rocks Largo 727-595-3733, Curves Pinellas Park North 727-561-0425, Curves Pinellas Park South 727-547-4727 and Curves South St Petersburg Boyd Hill 727-865-8508. All donations will be gratefully received.
Anyone interested in helping the local branch of the St Vincent de Paul Society may contact them by leaving a message on the SVDP Help Line at 727-398-6618 or writing to: St Vincent de Paul Society, St Matthew Catholic Church Chapter, P O Box 10097, Largo, Florida 33777. The St. Petersburg office can be reached at 727-823-2516.

About Curves

Curves works every major muscle group with a complete 30-minute workout that combines strength training and sustained cardiovascular activity through safe and effective hydraulic resistance. Curves also works to help women lose weight, gain muscle strength and aerobic capacity, and raise metabolism with its groundbreaking, scientifically proven method that ends the need for perpetual dieting. Founders Gary and Diane Heavin are considered the innovators of the express fitness phenomenon that has made exercise available to millions of women globally, many of whom are in the gym for the first time. With thousands of locations worldwide, Curves is the world's largest fitness franchise. For more information, visit Curves website www.curves.com.

About St Vincent de Paul Society, St Matthew Chapter

The St. Matthew chapter of the St Vincent de Paul Society is able to use 96 percent of their donations directly for client help. The low overhead is due to the fact that they are solely comprised of volunteers who donate their time and gas while doing home visits. After ascertaining true need, SVDP offers utility, food, and other assistance to their clients. Due to the economy, last year many clients asked for help for the first time in their lives. St Vincent de Paul Society's goal is to supply these families with a helping hand that will hopefully provide a chance to return to financial stability. For more information, leave a message on the local SVDP Help Line at 727-398-6618 or contact the downtown office at 727-823-2516.

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