Sweet Friend Programs
Real programs built from real needs in Pinellas County schools
Sweet Friend Programs and Services
Our programs are designed by our hands-on experience in the schools. We see what is needed and what is missing. We feel all children should have the same opportunities as their classmates.
01
“We’ve Got Your Back” Backpack Drive
Sweet Friend provides backpacks and school supplies to Pinellas County elementary and middle school children.
It's more than just a backpack; it gives students the confidence they need to succeed and feel prepared. Every summer, we kick off the school year with a backpack and school supply event that starts the fundraising.
We team up with local businesses in our community to host our donation boxes, where we collect new backpacks and school supplies. This gives local businesses a way to get involved. Most of their employees end up giving as well. It also helps bring in new people to their business. A win-win.
02
Sweet Friend Treats
Provide sweet treats (shaved ice) and snacks for our sweet friends who can not afford to participate in Pinellas County public schools programs. We partner with Kona Ice to make sure each student at the event can enjoy themselves with the rest of their class. We also give snacks to local middle schools to motivate students to work harder on subjects that they may be struggling with.
03
Pumpkin Pals
We donate pumpkins for annual Trunk-or-Treat events and to fall classroom activities. We also work with local growers in our area to secure donations to help enhance the fall holiday experience for all. Some children have taken home their first-ever pumpkin as a result of this program.
04
Sweet Friend Giving Tree
Provide colorful, fun, decorated trees to local sweet friend partners/businesses to collect gifts and monetary donations from their clients. The trees represent the generosity throughout the community. All donations are directed to children in public schools in our programs. These trees are set up in a local business to represent and encourage people to donate new toys and gifts for all ages. A donation box is set next to the tree to collect.
05
Adopt a Family Program
Sweet Friend identifies families in need, and creates holiday wish lists. Community members can then adopt a family to ensure those students can celebrate their holiday with gifts and surprises like so many of their classmates.
06
Birthday Program
We donate toys to individual schools so they can provide birthday gifts throughout the year to children in need within the Pinellas County School system who may not otherwise receive any gifts. We provide those items to the social workers in the school to ensure that the same students who are in need during the holiday time receive birthday gifts as well.
07
Sweet Friend Favors
Tight budgets often restrain teachers; that’s where the Sweet Friend Foundation comes in. Sweet Friend Foundation takes individualized requests from staff at public schools to support their mission and support their students. We offer aid for urgent teaching equipment and supplies that are necessary for learning. For example, we provided a sensory table to the Pre-K pod, as it was not in the budget for the school.
Real Stories of Change
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She was 17 years old and had never had a Christmas
During the holidays, one of our school nurses reached out. Her family of seven children, two of whom she had adopted from a sibling, had been selected for our Adopt a Family program. Asianna personally shopped for every child. The oldest, a 17-year-old girl, had never experienced the joy of opening gifts. She asked for simple things. Clothing, hair care, body lotion. Things most people never think twice about. Sweet Friend made sure she had all of that and more. It wasn't about the gifts. It was about a girl who finally felt thought of.
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All we had to do was ask
Before Sweet Friend Foundation existed, Asianna put out a simple social media post asking for clothing donations for students at Mount Vernon Elementary. Her neighbor, who worked with the Tampa Bay Rays, responded with boxes of t-shirts. That sparked an idea. Asianna raised funds for transportation and took the entire school to a Rays game, where the kids met players and Raymond, the team mascot. Many of them had never experienced anything like it. That day, Asianna saw what happened when a community simply said yes. Sweet Friend Foundation was her answer.
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You don't need any money. Just pick your favorite.
The Pumpkin Pals program started with one moment at a school Fall Festival. Pumpkins were available to purchase, but most families couldn't afford them. Asianna noticed a young girl standing at the table, just staring. She told her to pick whichever one she wanted. The girl said she couldn't because she didn't have any money. Asianna told her she didn't need any. She just needed to pick her favorite. The smile on that child's face said everything. One dollar. One pumpkin. One moment a kid never forgets.
We know what it feels like to be that kid
Sweet Friend Foundation is built on connection, care, and shared experiences that help children grow socially and emotionally. Volunteers play a meaningful role in making that possible.
Volunteers help bring our programs to life. You may assist with:
✓ Community and fundraising events
✓ Resource distribution and outreach efforts
✓ Organizing donations to be distributed
✓ Event setup or clean up
Are you a school employee or community member who sees a need?
If you work in a Pinellas County school or know of a teacher or classroom that could use support, Sweet Friend wants to hear from you. The foundation builds relationships with teachers, social workers, and community liaisons across the county, and requests are always welcome.
Complete the contact form, and someone from the team will follow up.
We know what it feels like to be that kid
Founder Asianna Lotito grew up as one of the students Sweet Friend Foundation now serves. A twin raised by a single mom who worked three jobs just to get by, she knows firsthand what it feels like to miss the field trip. After seven years volunteering in Pinellas County schools, she saw the same gaps she had lived through as a child. Since 2023, the team has grown from serving one school to over ten, with programs shaped by what they see inside those classrooms every single week.
Local businesses can make a bigger difference than they think
Hosting a donation box, sponsoring a program, or offering your space for an event is one of the most visible and meaningful ways a local business can show up for the community. Sweet Friend partners with businesses across Pinellas County year-round, and sponsors receive recognition on social media, the Sweet Friend website, and at foundation events.
Ready to explore what a partnership could look like? Head to our sponsorship page to see current opportunities and find the level that fits your business.
Helping students feel included and empowered
Frequently asked questions about our programs
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We build relationships with the faculty at the schools. Depending on the school, we connect with the social worker or community liaison to identify the students in need. They know the students who need the help.
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We started going to the Transformation Zone Schools first because they are in the most need. “The Transformation Zone consists of schools that may need more support as they strive to ensure that students are prepared and poised for 100 percent success during their education journey. Within the Transformation Zone, educators at all levels work collaboratively to build strong schools that enable all students to achieve at or above grade level.”
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We go into the schools, show up at events, and attend PTA meetings to get the word out to the school community that we are here to help and that they can count on us.
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Business owners can help by hosting events, donating their time, services, or money, being a donation collection site or being a corporate sponsor. Cross-promotion on social media is also very helpful to us.
Every Sweet Friend program exists because someone decided to help
That someone could be you. Donate today and put your support directly into the hands of students and teachers in Pinellas County Public Schools.