Bourdow started volunteering with St. Petersburg Free Clinic in 2005, assisting patients who were unable to work because of catastrophic medical issues to pay their utility bills. She has continued to be a volunteer advocate for these patients, obtaining financial assistance for water bills, among other things. Bourdow approaches everyday volunteering with the level of dedication and care needed to create a tangible change in the community.
The grant tonight will be used to support St. Petersburg Free Clinic's food programs, which include the We Help FRESH Pantry and Jared S. Hechtkopf Community Food Bank. In fiscal year 2021, Jared's Food Bank distributed 20.4 million pounds of food into the community, and We Help FRESH Pantry provided food for 231,000 individuals. St. Petersburg Free Clinic's goal is to continue to expand these programs and thus expand their reach to help more people in Pinellas County.
Bourdow became the 491st Lightning Community Hero since Jeff and Penny Vinik introduced the Lightning Community Hero program in 2011-12 with a $10 million, five-season commitment to the Tampa Bay community. Through tonight's game, in total, the Lightning Foundation has granted $25.65 million to more than 600 unique nonprofits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. During the summer of 2021, the Viniks announced the community hero program will give away another $10 million over the next five seasons.
