Safety Harbor, Florida: Ribbon Cutting Celebrates .6 Million Expansion of Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center
On Tuesday, the community of Safety Harbor gathered to celebrate a significant milestone for the Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center (MWNFC) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of a .6 million expansion project. The event was attended by staff members, volunteers, and community leaders who expressed their commitment to the center’s vital role in addressing growing community needs.
According to David Hale, Executive Director of MWNFC, the center has been a hub of assistance throughout a year of extensive construction. “Over the past year, we’ve been under construction,” Hale noted. “But during this time, our food pantry team continued to serve residents by distributing food from our back area. This dedication highlights the resilience and commitment of our team.”
The need for the services provided by MWNFC has seen a remarkable increase, underscoring the demands of the local community. Data from the center shows that in April 2024, MWNFC served an average of 145 families weekly. This figure surged to 200 families by the same month in 2023, reflecting a 38% increase in demand for assistance. “So far this year, our numbers indicate that we are on track to serve even more families than we did last year,” Hale added, emphasizing the role that the expansion will play in accommodating this increased demand.
The expansion, funded by contributions from Pinellas County and the City of Safety Harbor, introduces several new facilities to enhance the center’s outreach and services. Key additions include a multi-purpose community room, an upgraded food pantry featuring walk-in refrigeration, a newly equipped kitchen that will allow for the preparation of hot meals for the first time, and a revamped clothing closet. “With this new food pantry, we are poised to set records for the number of families we can serve,” Hale remarked, while also expressing hope that such a significant need for assistance was not necessary in the first place.
At the event, a surprise announcement was made regarding the naming of the new community room in honor of Janet Hooper, the center’s former executive director. An emotional Hooper expressed her gratitude, stating, “I’m speechless. I really am. This is for the community. It was never about Janet.”
Eric Williams, a board member at MWNFC and the son of the center’s namesake—longtime volunteer Mattie Williams—also attended the ceremony. His simple yet profound words, “If my mom was here and looking at this she would say, ‘I receive,’” captured the essence of the event and the community spirit behind it.
Looking ahead, Hale mentioned that Phase 2 of the project, which involves remodeling the rest of the existing structure, is projected to cost an additional 0,000 and will take approximately six months to complete. The expansion reflects not just an increase in physical capacity but also a deeper commitment to meeting the essential needs of families in Safety Harbor and surrounding areas. As MWNFC continues to grow, its mission remains clear: to foster community support and resilience in times of need.
