Collection boxes are at St. Petersburg City Hall, 175 Fifth St. N.

ST. PETESBURG – This city is accepting donations for local Coast Guard families through the Sun Coast branch of the U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer’s Association during the government shutdown.

Collection boxes are located at St. Petersburg City Hall, 175 Fifth St. N.

Below is a suggested list of items:

• Grocery store gift cards
• Gas station gift cards (to allow Coast Guard personnel the ability to get to work)
• Non-perishable food items, including snacks for kid’s lunchboxes, coffee, protein bars, healthy snacks, etc.
• Cleaning items, including paper towels, dish soap, hand soap, bathroom and kitchen cleaning products, laundry detergent, etc.
• Toiletry items to include toilet paper, feminine products, toothbrushes/toothpaste for adults and children, body soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc.
• Baby items, diapers (all sizes) pull-ups (all sizes for both girl and boy)
• Baby wipes
• Pet food

St. Petersburg is also offering free admission for federal employees to Sunken Gardens and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve throughout the duration of the federal government shutdown. Valid federal identification or a recent pay stub and photo ID is required to gain admission for residents, visitors and up to three of their guests.

Regular admission to Sunken Gardens, located at 1825 4th St. N, is $10 for adults and $4 for children ages 2 to 11. Regular admission to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S, is $3 for adults and $1.50 for children ages 3 to 16.

“It’s a small gesture of our appreciation for our federal workers and helps to provide them and their families with two additional fun outings to enjoy at no cost,” St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman said.

St. Petersburg | Government Shutdown | Rick Kriseman | Tampabay News

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