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St. Lucie Campus

United Against Poverty St. Lucie - Serving Fort Pierce Since 2003.

From the very beginning, UP St. Lucie County was destined to be a different kind of charity; one that focused on offering a hand UP, not just a handout. The organization started as a unique Member Share Grocery Program, which offered much needed dignity for families. Its popularity quickly grew and, as traffic to the campus increased, participants expressed a need to have additional services available on-site.

As UP St. Lucie continues to grow, and additional needs are identified, the center has expanded services to include crisis care, case management, counseling, educational opportunities, specialty skills training and job placement.

United Partnerships

A United Partnership offers exclusive access to our featured events, plus additional benefits throughout the year. By selecting one of three tailored packages, donors can streamline their giving while ensuring their ongoing support.

Benefits could include:

  • Recognition on printed campus materials
  • Featured as a Community Partner on social media channels
  • Logo recognition on our website
  • Inclusion in marketing email campaigns to 5,000+ contacts
  • Business logo placement in our Member Share Grocery Program

Make a bigger impact with ease—learn how to become a United Partner! Contact Development Director Dawn Knupp at Dknupp@unitedagainstpoverty.org.

Our Mission

&

Vision

United Against Poverty was incorporated in 2003 with the vision of helping communities where every family and individual has access to basic needs, nutritional food, crisis care, education, and employment training, and where everyone has the opportunity to achieve a future filled with hope and possibilities.

Our Purpose: To empower families and individuals to lift themselves to sustainable economic self-sufficiency.

Our Mission: To serve families and individuals by providing crisis care, case management, transformative education, food and household subsidy, employment training and placement, personal empowerment training and active referrals to other collaborative social service providers.

Our work is shaped by the understanding that, together, we can create lasting change to combat life’s most difficult challenges.

Our Values

Dignity. Integrity. Respect.
Compassion. Empowerment.
Responsibility. Collaboration.
Holistic Approach.

UAP offers programs to help stabilize the foundations of our communities and foster the confidence needed to lift them to sustainable economic stability.

Member Share

Grocery Program

United Against Poverty is proud to provide our Member Share Grocery Program to the St Lucie area. MSGP is an accessible, dignified, worry-free food assistance program where you have the opportunity select nutritious food items suited toward you and your family’s lifestyle.

Our Members contribute a small handling fee per item to support program sustainability. This meaningful exchange is part of our Hand UP model designed to restore dignity and instill empowerment.

Membership is FREE

to those who qualify!

Offers a wide range of fresh produce, proteins, freezer items, pantry staples and more.

Members can save up to two- thirds of their household food and   product budget by utilizing our   grocery program.

In 2025, United Against Poverty served 13,323  unique members who utilized the Member Share Grocery Program (MSGP).

Military Mondays

Bring in a Military ID and receive a 10% discount in the Member Share Grocery Program.

Senior Wednesdays

Are you 55 or older? Every Wednesday, enjoy 10% off items in the Member Share Grocery Program.

Educator Thursdays

Are you a school educator? Teachers receive a 10% discount in the Member Share Grocery Program with their school ID.

College Student Fridays

Bring in a current school ID and receive a 10% discount in the Member Share Grocery Program

The Member Share Grocery Program is a significant part of our UP Mission; this service allows eligible members to access fresh, quality groceries at a reduced cost, helping to ease the financial burden of food insecurity faced by many families throughout Florida. A total of 13,323 unique members accessed food from the St. Lucie MSGP in 2025. That saved our members $4.37 million which is vital for other household and living expenses.

Program Members contribute a small nominal handling fee per item to cover cost of pick-up— this contribution gives members dignity and empowerment to engage in the many life-changing programs we offer at United Against Poverty.

How It Works:

  • Qualified families living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level must fill out an application. Upon qualification, individuals become members and can begin purchase of food or household products.

    Check the chart below to see if your household qualifies:

    2026 Poverty Guidelines

    48 Contiguous States (all states except Alaska and Hawaii)
    Household Size Annual Household Income At/Below
    1 $31,920
    2 $43,280
    3 $54,640
    4 $66,000

    For families/households with more than 4 persons, add $11,360 for each additional person.

    Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.

Become a Member today!

Click the button below to access the Member Share Grocery application form:

Apply For Membership

Ready to Contribute?

Click the button below to learn how to become a product partner, how to donate, and more info about MSGP

Learn More About MSGP
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What Is STEP?

Contact us to Learn More

A team member will respond to all inquiries.

Getting a Job is Hard,

but you don’t have to do it alone.

Whether you are unemployed or underemployed, our Employment Programs are designed to assist you in securing the dream job and financial stability you deserve!

Our Success Training Employment Program (STEP) is a FREE 3-phase program that provides participants with valuable skills, confidence, and knowledge to help secure employment and reach financial goals. In 2025, we helped 74 individuals obtain job skills training, gain employment, and increase their household income. We had 46 graduates become successfully employed.

We also host career events at the UP Center featuring dozens of our career partners. These are incredible, not to be missed events for those seeking employment across a variety of different fields.

Thanks to our Employment Programs, we’re able to connect participants with a variety of life-changing tools, skills, and opportunities, including resume building, professional development, networking, and so much more!

Phase
1

Job Training

Join fellow participants seeking career growth by completing 4 Weeks of valuable classroom training. You will gain industry-recognized certifications, craft a winning resume, and learn how to prepare for and secure a job offer.

Phase
2

Career Connection 

During STEP, you will connect with top employers and industry leaders in your area. You will have the opportunity to meet with a wide variety of employers for one-on-one interviews.

Phase
3

Success Coaching

Once you have obtained employment, receive one-on-one coaching to help you excel in your position and become a strong candidate for future career advancement. Our goal is to help you succeed!

Want to Donate? Here's How:

STEP into your future with the Success Training Employment Program.

Whether you are unemployed or underemployed, our STEP program is designed to assist you in securing the dream job and financial stability you deserve!

Thanks to our Success Training Employment Program, we’re able to connect program participants with a variety of life-changing employment tools, skills, and opportunities, including resume building, professional development, networking, and more!

In 2022, we helped 57 low-income individuals obtain job skills training, gain employment, and increase their household income. We had 26 graduates become successfully employed. Not only did the individuals increase their income, this created a $787,640 “social cost avoidance”, which refers to the expenses taxpayers would have incurred for unemployment, rent/utility assistance, emergency room usage, and criminal justice costs.

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The Ideal Participant

  • Looking for dream job!
  • Dedicated to setting goals
  • Open to learning new skills
  • Excited to transform their lives
  • Ready to work!
  • Prepared to improve

Sucess

STEP to SuccessStep to Success

“Before STEP I was unmotivated, unemployed, worried about the future and having a hard time making good choices. STEP helped me stay motived, have a better outlook on my future and find a good job”

Kynge, STEP Graduate

Our Employer Partners

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 2025 Combined Income
Crisis Care
Crisis Care

With Compassion

Help Starts Here

One-On-One Meetings

Our Crisis Navigator meets with individuals as part of the intake process to discuss and access needs and current situation.

Customized Care Plan

Together with our Case Management Team a customized care plan is created that outlines the programs and services best suited for an individuals needs.

Long Term Roadmap

A detailed case plan provides an achievable step-by-step roadmap outlining immediate and long-term goals to stabilize your life and help achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Action Steps may Include:

  • Housing and/or Shelter Assistance
  • Obtaining Identification Items
  • Employment Assistance
  • Counseling for Mental Health and Substance Abuse
  • Transportation Barriers
  • Access to Community Based Resources

Our Difference

We don’t just offer referrals; we team up with nonprofit partners and community resources to make a real difference. We are here with you every step of the way to empower you, help you reach your goals, and guide you toward success.

Our Crisis Care Program is intended to provide support for those facing instability in their lives, whether that be physical, financial, or emotional. Our dedicated staff can provide access to community-based resources and emergency support to overcome their immediate needs, assisting them in creating a long-term plan for self-sufficiency to prevent facing similar problems in the future.

Each program participant undergoes an initial formal intake process to assess their current situation. You will meet one-on-one with a member of our Case Management Team, and, together, you will create a customized care plan. Each participant’s customized care plan is designed to help guide them and includes an achievable action plan. We are here to help you every step of the way!

In 2025, our Crisis Stabilization team helped 435 unique households with 1,868 services including housing or utility assistance, emergency food, health, education, and one-time referrals to obtain assistance.

Get Help Now !

If you are facing a crisis and don’t know where to turn, visit the St Lucie UP Center at 2520 Orange Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL 34947 or call 772-468-8543 and request a meeting with our Crisis Navigator for assistance.

Contact us For Assistance

A Crisis Navigator team member will respond to all inquiries.

Donate

Volunteer

NOTICING THE UNNOTICED

United Against Poverty of St Lucie County is grateful for the community of supporters who believe in our mission to UP Lift lives by offering a hand up, not just a handout. If you would like to mail a gift to United Against Poverty, please send it to 2520 Orange Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL 34947. In addition to inviting you to give a gift online, we encourage you to consider these additional investment options:

  • Matching Gift: Multiply your impact by asking your human resources department if they offer Matching Gift opportunities.
  • Memorial Gift: Celebrate the life of a friend or loved one by making a gift in their honor or in their memory.
  • Monthly Gift: Help sustain our programs year-round by making a recurring gift.
  • Planned Gift: Leave a legacy by including UP St Lucie in your estate plans.
  • Stock Transfer Gift: Take advantage of tax savings by making a contribution via stock transfer.
Donate Now

Tax Information

United Against Poverty is a registered 501c3 nonprofit and contributions are tax deductible. Donation acknowledgment letters will be sent in the mail within 3 business days of the donation. Our Federal Tax ID is 11-3697936. Download our IRS Letter of Determination and W-9 forms below.

Lifting Lives One Hand at a Time

Come Volunteer!

It is only through generous investment of time and talent that we are able to lift the lives of struggling families in our community. Our volunteers ensure the smooth daily operation of our campus, so that our financial resources can be utilized in the most effective way possible.

In 2025, a remarkable 12,863 hours of service valued at $406,599 were recorded by our volunteers. We simply could not operate without you! Individual United Against Poverty volunteers assist with everything from stocking shelves in our Member Share Grocery Program to organizing the food pantry and staffing our welcome desk.

*Children must be ten years of age or older to participate in our regular volunteer opportunities. Youth under 16 years of age must have a parent or adult guardian present at all times while volunteering. Family Volunteer night invites volunteers of all ages!

Collaborative Partner Services

Collaborative Partner Services

Collaboration is a key component of our mission. At United Against Poverty of St. Lucie County, we advocate a “more is more” approach. We believe that the more agencies we partner with and the more services and resources we can make available on-site, the more we can help those who are hidden, hungry and hurting.

We regularly make active referrals to partner agencies so that people in crisis can access the services they need to stabilize their lives. Through these partnerships, we can maximize our impact and better reach and serve those in need in the community.

Calendar of Events

Featured Events

  • March 28, 2026
    Fools Day 5k is a professionally timed race for participants of all ages and abilities! Put on a pair of…

  • June 26, 2026
    Join us for an unforgettable afternoon at St. Lucie Mets Stadium/Clover Park for the St. Lucie 2026 Hand UP Luncheon!…

  • October 09, 2026
    This event is dedicated to uplifting the lives of the most vulnerable in our community through United Against Poverty's impactful…

Upcoming Events

View Full Calendar

News & Press

United Against Poverty is dedicated to helping people across Florida lift themselves to economic self-sufficiency. Discover the latest stories, testimonials, and updates coming out of United Against Poverty’s campus.

Latest News

Success Stories

We at United Against Poverty are incredibly proud of the positive impact we’ve had in our communities. Our Success Stories are a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit, and the difference that dedicated compassion, support, and outreach can make.

Read through our Success Stories to learn more about the individuals we’ve helped on their journey to economic self-sufficiency.

Leroy, a Veteran came to the United Against Poverty looking for assistance through our crisis program. Leroy had enough couch surfing and had been looking for employment for 3 months. Our Crisis Navigator referred Leroy to the Housing Tribe where he was able to secure shared housing and to Veteran Affairs to address other needs. Leroy enrolled in our Success Employment Training Program to assist him with finding employment. Leroy entered the first day of STEP class with low self-confidence and feeling hopeless. After 4 weeks in the STEP program, Leroy found the career he was looking for at Freight Liners as a CDL Driver. Leroy is now focused on saving up for a home of his own.

“STEP helped me receive a great job offer. I am now hopeful and confident! Thanks to UAP staff which are super!” -Leroy G.

Zach joined STEP looking to make a big change in his life. As a Veteran, he was having trouble getting back to everyday life after his career in the Navy was completed. Zach was dedicated to making a change. He showed up to class early each day with a positive attitude and a thirst for learning. His dedication was an inspiration to the entire class. Due to his dedication and perseverance Zach was able to secure a new career at The Porch Factory. He is using skills he acquired in the Navy along with new skills acquired during his time in the STEP program at his new job at The Porch Factory.

From his employer – The Porch Factory: “Zach is doing well and picking up on what is required for his position. He is friendly, working at an acceptable pace and doing well learning a new trade. We are happy to have him as part of our team.”

Raul is a graduate of our Success Training Employment Program (STEP) who turned his life around after incarceration. With no job, license, or money, Raul was determined to change his circumstances. Starting in our UAP warehouse, Raul impressed staff and eventually secured a full-time position and became a house manager at a sober living facility. Today, Raul’s transformation is remarkable—he’s founded three sober living homes, partnered with Pure Health and Wellness, and serves as a mentor in our community, guiding others toward recovery. He credits his success to focused determination and the support he received from his Success Coach, proving that there are no limits to what one can achieve.

Board & Staff

Community Advisory Board

United Against Poverty St. Lucie’s dedicated Staff and Community Advisory Board are committed to our goal of lifting the lives of individuals and families in our community and helping them attain economic self-sufficiency.

John Cesar

John Cesar

Lillie Shepherd

Lillie Shepherd

Michael Walker

Michael Walker

Marci Sanders

Marci Sanders

Erin O’Brien

Erin O’Brien

Cassandre Agahro

Cassandre Agahro

Kasey Blair

Kasey Blair

Andie Brann

Andie Brann

Nikita Lloyd

Nikita Lloyd

Rodney Allomond Sr.

Rodney Allomond Sr.

Ashley Frechette

Ashley Frechette

Staff

United Against Poverty St. Lucie’s dedicated Staff and Community Advisory Board are committed to our goal of lifting the lives of individuals and families in our community and helping them attain economic self-sufficiency.

Sean Howald

Sean Howald

Executive Director

Dawn Knupp

Dawn Knupp

Director of Development

Tamara Staley

Tamara Staley

Director of Programs

Pedro Salas

Pedro Salas

Manager of MSGP

Get In Touch

St. Lucie
Campus
Connect with our community of compassionate doers and thinkers.

2520 Orange Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL 34947
772-468-8543
Mon-Sat: 9am – 6pm
Sun: 11am – 6pm