Mayor Welch's World Series bet with Milwaukee raises food and money for St. Pete Free Clinic. Drop items at City Hall, rec centers or libraries.

St. Petersburg and Milwaukee have a World Series bet riding on more than baseball. Mayor Kenneth T. Welch and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson are asking their cities to donate to local charities while the Rays and the Brewers play.

In St. Pete, the money and goods go to St. Pete Free Clinic, a nonprofit that runs one of the largest food banks in Pinellas County. The city announced the challenge Friday in a release from the mayor’s office.

“St. Petersburg has been through some tough times. But just like Tropicana Field, we know a thing or two about a comeback,” Welch said in the release.

Milwaukee’s challenge raises help for United Way to support six homeless shelters in that city, the release said.

How to give

There are two ways, according to the city’s Mayor’s Challenge page.

Money. Donate online through the city’s page by choosing “Join Mayor’s Challenge.”

Goods. Drop items in a St. Pete Free Clinic donation box at any of these city sites:

  • City of St. Petersburg recreation centers
  • City Hall, 175 Fifth St. N
  • the Municipal Services Center, 1 Fourth St. N
  • every city library except Childs Park Library

The city’s release puts the total at 25 city facilities. It did not give an end date for the drive.

What the clinic needs

The clinic’s current needs list asks for ready-to-eat food and personal care items. Pop-top cans are best, it says, because can openers are not always available.

Food on the list includes:

  • canned meats, canned pastas, beef stew and canned fruit
  • tuna or salmon in a pouch
  • granola bars, protein bars and breakfast bars
  • crackers, nuts, trail mix and beef jerky
  • single-serving cereal boxes and fruit cups
  • protein drinks, juice boxes, bottled water and sports drinks

Health and hygiene items include bar soap, body wipes, deodorant, disposable razors, travel-size toothbrushes and toothpaste, and small first aid kits. The clinic also asks for socks, flip-flops and backpacks.

The same flyer asks for baby formula, diapers and period products, and says adult diapers are needed too.

What the mayors are betting

Both mayors pledged to send each other a box of goods from their city. Welch’s includes items from 20 St. Pete businesses, artists and museums, the release said. Among them are The Dali Museum, the Woodson African American Museum of Florida, Green Bench Brewing Company, Kahwa Coffee, Ferg’s Sports Bar and Grill, the St. Pete Youth Farm and the Firestone Grand Prix.

The city’s page says the goal is to give Milwaukee’s mayor “a reason to congratulate St. Pete,” in a Rays jersey.

Where the series stands

The Brewers won Game 1 in Milwaukee 3-2 on Friday, according to Major League Baseball. The series moves to Tropicana Field for Game 3 at 8 p.m. Monday and Game 4 at 8 p.m. Tuesday, with Game 5 on Wednesday if it is needed.

Our World Series parking and shuttle guide has the city’s advice for getting downtown on game nights.

What it means for you

  • To donate goods: take them to a city recreation center, a library other than Childs Park, City Hall or the Municipal Services Center, and look for the St. Pete Free Clinic box.
  • To donate money: use the city’s Mayor’s Challenge page.
  • Large donations: the clinic’s donation page says to email communications@thespfc.org to arrange delivery to its Community Food Bank at 2392 31st St. S, open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
  • If you need food: the clinic’s FRESH Pantry is free to any Pinellas County resident, up to twice a month. The downtown pantry is at 863 Third Ave. N, open 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Wednesday and to 7 p.m. Thursday. A drive-thru runs 2 to 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at 2198 15th Ave. S. Bring ID and proof of a Pinellas County address. Call 727-821-1200 with questions.