ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — 360 Eats is a nonprofit food relief service that is expanding its nutritional outreach efforts in South St. Petersburg.
Any food that is left unsold in local markets or not cooked in restaurants is collected by the nonprofit before it is thrown away.
They provide nutritious meals through their mobile food truck.
For some South St. Petersburg residents waiting in line, the food they receive from this 360 Eats food truck may end up being the healthiest meal of their day.
In fact, it may be the only option available nearby, as the area has been officially designated a federal food desert.
“These people need help and they don’t have money,” customer Shirley Melton said. “They’re homeless, they’re jobless. You don’t see much of anyone trying to help.”
Cameron McLeish co-founded 360 Eats in Clearwater in 2020 with his mother, chef Ellen McLeish.
“Services like ours are essential to providing meals to individuals,” Cameron said. “Many of these people are juggling full-time jobs and having their children attend after-school programs. Finding the time to prepare and cook nutritious meals for their families can be really difficult.”
Ellen McLeish worked as a chef before founding her nonprofit organization.
“We try to use what’s available and provide nutritious meals,” she said.
Cameron said they’ve come a long way since they launched four years ago. They now hold weekly events at the James B. Sanderlin Family Center and have expanded their reach, made possible by more than $60,000 in grant funding awarded by Healthy St. Pete and Orlando Health Bayfront.
“We’ve organized community events where people can ask for food assistance with dignity,” Cameron said.
360 Eats also received a grant to sponsor a culinary internship program for people looking for their first job.
