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

Community Partners

Our community partners are invaluable collaborators who contribute resources and support to drive our mission forward. We are grateful for their vital contributions.

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.

Our Privacy Promise to You

Daystar Life Center is funded primarily by donations from individuals, businesses, churches and civic groups in the community.  We could not help our neighbors in need without your financial support.  You have a right to know that we will not trade, share, or sell a donor’s personal information with anyone else,  nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations.  This policy applies to online and offline donations.

If you provide us with your physical address, email address, or phone number, this information is confidential within our organization.

Online donations made on this website are processed by SafeSave™ using their secure servers; we do not receive your credit card information.  If you provide us with your credit card information in order to make a donation, we will shred it immediately after the transaction is processed.

Information about your donation is handled with respect and confidentiality.  Your donations will be used for the purposes for which they were given.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement : This institution is an equal opportunity provider.  Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

CONSUMER SERVICES REGISTRATION NUMBER FOR DAYSTAR LIFE CENTER IS CH17465. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 1-800-HELP-FLA OR ACCESSING THE WEBSITE CSAPP.FDACS.GOV/CSPUBLICAPP/CHECKACHARITY/CHECKACHARITY.ASPX.

REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

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