About Daystar Life Center
Daystar Life Center fights hunger, poverty, and hopelessness by providing the necessities of life to our neighbors in need. We strive to engage, educate, and empower the community by promoting the value of nutrition, good health, and financial literacy. Daystar Life Center was founded in 1982 as an outreach ministry of Saint Mary Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, FL. Since 1982, Daystar has been dedicated to illuminating the lives of our community members by providing essential resources and compassionate assistance.
At Daystar Life Center, we are driven by the belief that every individual deserves dignity, respect, and a chance at a brighter tomorrow. Our mission is to extend a helping hand to those in need, offering a wide array of services designed to address the immediate challenges and empower individuals on their journey towards self-sufficiency.
From a healthy food pantry to clothing provisions, hygiene essentials, and emergency financial assistance, we strive to meet the diverse needs of our community. Our dedicated team of volunteers and staff work tirelessly to ensure that no one faces adversity alone. Daystar depends on donations from individuals, businesses, churches, and civic associations in the community. In-kind donations of food, household goods, and personal care items from the community allow us to provide the most critical items to the people we serve. We are grateful to Pinellas County, the City of St. Petersburg, and other grantors for providing us
with financial support.
As a community-driven organization, we invite you to join hands with us in this noble endeavor. Whether through volunteering your time, making a donation, or spreading the word about our mission, every contribution, big or small, plays a pivotal role in the lives we touch.”
Our Staff
Heide Cornell, MBA
Executive Director
Paula Castoro
Financial Stability and Capability Specialist
Maria Ortiz
Financial Assistance and
Resource Manager
Ashley Bigby
Food and Enrichment
Services Supervisor
Jacqueline Roche
External Affairs and
Community Engagement
Supervisor
Erika Cinker
Marketing Coordinator
Larry Burgess
Maintenance Manager
Mary Kaye Patterson
Mailroom Attendant
Board of Directors
Jay K. Ghosh, President
Retired Senior Executive, AT&T/Lucent; Adjunct Professor, UTD
Mary Anne Putman, Vice President
Community Volunteer and Proud Military Spouse
Michael Menchen, Vice President
Deacon, Saint Mary Our Lady of Grace Church
Robert Prol
Senior Project Manager, KPMG US
Dr. Jacquelyn Dawson, Secretary
Retired Dentist
Fr. Damian Amantia, TOR, Director
Pastor, St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
Carl Brody
Assistant Tampa City Attorney
Tom Lang
Managing Partner, and Co-founder of Turba Group
Dr. John Fox
Physician
Linda Lerner
Retired Pinellas County School Board Member
Toby McDuffie
Information Technology Channel Sales Executive
Pam Cadigan
Retired Automotive Executive
Kevin Milkey
Owner, Grand Central Brewhouse
Dr. George Monlux
Retired Physician
Sister Dolores O’Brien, OSF
Franciscan Sister of Allegany
Our Financial Information
Daystar Life Center is committed to transparency in its financial operations. One of our core values is to be good stewards of our resources. Thanks to our committed volunteers and small paid staff, we are able to devote over 90% of income to program services.
Daystar Life Center’s commitment to accountability and transparency, good governance and other best practices, and strong financial health has earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. In 2018 Daystar earned this top distinction for the first time, and again in 2019 and 2020. Charity Navigator awards only the most fiscally responsible organizations a 4-star rating. Daystar’s exceptional 4-star rating sets it apart from its peers and demonstrates its trustworthiness to the public. Based on our 4-star rating, you can trust that your donations are going to a financially responsible and ethical charity when you decide to support Daystar Life Center. We invite you to read our profile on Charity Navigator.
Daystar Life Center is also recognized by GuideStar, the largest source of information on non-profits, as a Platinum Participant for our commitment to transparency, our finances, and our impact. This is GuideStar’s highest rating. We invite you to read our profile on GuideStar.org
Click on the links below to examine our audited financial statements and IRS Form 990 informational tax return for the recent fiscal years. We welcome your comments or questions.
Daystar Life Center, Inc. is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.