Trevor Burgess and Gary Hess give $5 million to support St. Pete Free Clinic’s new flagship facility in south St. Pete
/Trevor Burgess, spfc ceo Jennifer Yeagley, AND Gary hess | SPFC
St. Petersburg philanthropists Trevor Burgess and Gary Hess have committed $5 million to St. Pete Free Clinic, supporting the nonprofit’s expansion as it transforms a former furniture store into a new hub for food assistance and healthcare in south St. Pete.
The gift will help advance SPFC’s planned flagship facility at 2200 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street South, where the former Badcock furniture store is being renovated to bring groceries, medical care, education, and community resources together under one roof.
Park & Eleazer Construction is completing the renovation, with construction expected to wrap up in late spring 2027.
For Burgess and Hess, the contribution builds on more than a decade of involvement with the organization, beginning with a $1,000 donation in 2012 and growing through volunteer service, board leadership, and a previous $1 million gift.
A rendering of SPFC’s new flagship facility at 2200 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street South | spfc
“Gary and I have seen SPFC respond thoughtfully and decisively as the need for food, healthcare, and stability support has grown,” Burgess said in a news release. “We believe in Care Forward because it pairs bold ambition with a proven ability to deliver. This gift is an investment in the people of Pinellas County and in a model of care that can change the trajectory of a life.”
Their $5 million commitment supports Care Forward, SPFC’s five-year, $100 million initiative to expand food security and healthcare access across Pinellas County.
The south St. Pete facility is a central part of that effort. Plans call for expanded food distribution, medical care suites, and new community spaces, including a Knowledge Center for learning and connection.
“By integrating nutritious food, healthcare, education, and navigation services under one roof, SPFC aims to help neighbors address immediate needs while improving long-term health outcomes, including the prevention and management of chronic disease,” Sheryl Zeitler, SPFC’s Chief External Affairs Officer, told St. Pete Rising.
A rendering of SPFC’s new flagship facility at 2200 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street South | spfc
For Hess, the project builds on what he has witnessed while volunteering with the organization. He joined SPFC’s board of directors in 2019 and began volunteering regularly in 2021, helping distribute groceries at the Jared S. Hechtkopf Community Food Bank, according to the nonprofit.
“Volunteering has allowed me to meet the people behind the numbers and see what reliable access to nutritious food can mean for a family,” Hess said in the release. “The new facility will allow SPFC to connect neighbors not only with groceries, but also with healthcare and other resources that can help them move toward greater stability. It is deeply meaningful to us to help make that possible.”
Burgess, who serves as Chairman and CEO of St. Pete-based Neptune Flood, has also helped engage the business community through volunteer projects organized through the company, according to SPFC.
In 2024, the couple gave $1 million to the nonprofit and challenged the community to collectively match their contribution. SPFC named its volunteer program the Gary Hess Volunteer Services Program in recognition of Hess’s ongoing service.
Elevations of SPFC’s new flagship facility at 2200 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street South | spfc
“Trevor and Gary have walked alongside SPFC for more than a decade, as donors, advocates, volunteers and leaders,” said Jennifer Yeagley, SPFC’s CEO. “Their extraordinary gift reflects a deep understanding of both the urgency of today's needs and what is possible when care is connected in one place.”
The broader Care Forward initiative dedicates $80 million to program expansion, including $60 million for food security and $20 million for healthcare access. Another $10 million will fund capital improvements, including the south St. Pete facility and food distribution infrastructure, while $10 million will support SPFC’s endowment.
By 2030, SPFC aims to reach 260,000 Pinellas County residents with food assistance and expand healthcare access to 20,000 uninsured adults and their families through its organization-wide efforts.
“This investment will help create a lasting community resource where neighbors can find nourishment, healing, and practical support with dignity,” Yeagley said.
More information about the initiative is available on SPFC’s Care Forward website.
A floor plan of SPFC’s new flagship facility at 2200 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street South | spfc
