Helping Hand Referral Application
Hands Across the Bay is a small, privately funded nonprofit committed to providing meaningful, hands-on support to individuals and families experiencing crisis through no fault of their own. To ensure our limited resources are used responsibly and effectively, assistance is provided by referral only through approved agencies.
Approved Referral Sources
As of February 2026, Hands Across the Bay accepts referrals exclusively from:
- Law Enforcement Agencies
- The State Attorney’s Office for Pinellas, Pasco, or Hillsborough Counties
- Victim Advocates working in coordination with the above agencies
Referrals submitted outside of these approved sources cannot be considered.
Who Is Eligible?
- Individuals or families who have experienced a sudden or destabilizing crisis through no fault of their own, including:
- Domestic violence
- Human trafficking
- Sexual assault
- Sudden death of a spouse or child
- Other catastrophic incidents reviewed on a case-by-case basis
We may also consider referrals involving:
- Working single mothers or single fathers
- Children with chronic or serious medical needs
- Young adults who have aged out of foster care
- Abused, neglected, or abandoned children
- Underprivileged teenagers
What “Crisis Through No Fault of Their Own” Means
- When reviewing referrals, we consider whether:
- Reasonable efforts have been made to gain or maintain employment when possible
- Required legal filings, such as child support, have been completed when applicable
- There is no history of substance abuse that impacts stability
- There is no criminal history
- There is no pattern of long-term reliance on charitable organizations without progress toward independence
Examples of Assistance (If Approved)
- Assistance is short-term, needs-based, and may include:
- Grocery or gas gift cards
- Household items such as kitchen supplies, furniture, hygiene items, bedding, and cleaning supplies
- Clothing, school supplies, and children or baby essentials
- Utility assistance or holiday assistance
- Other essential items needed to help a family stabilize