St. Augustine’s Dining with Dignity program is seeing a significant increase in use since moving into its new pavilion, offering a more permanent and welcoming space for residents experiencing homelessness or food insecurity.
During a recent city commission meeting, Community Services Director Jaime Perkins shared that the Dining with Dignity Pavilion has seen an approximately 62% increase in usability since meal services relocated from the former Granada lot to the new facility about six months ago.
For residents who may not be familiar with the program, Dining with Dignity is a community meal service operated through Home Again St. Johns in partnership with more than 40 faith-based, outreach, civic, and community organizations. Each night, a different group helps provide a hot, nutritious meal for people experiencing homelessness, poverty, or instability. The program is designed not only to meet an immediate need for food, but to do so in a way that offers respect, consistency, and community.
The new Dining with Dignity Pavilion is located at 92 S. Dixie Highway, at the corner of SR 207, behind the Winn-Dixie shopping plaza. Dinner is served at the pavilion nightly at 6 p.m., with the exception of the third Friday of each month, when meals are offered at Grace United Methodist Church at 8 Carrera Street.
The city announced the new location in October 2025 as part of a broader, multi-phase initiative to better assist St. Augustine’s homeless population. The pavilion was built to replace the previous outdoor meal site with a more functional and dignified setting, including a covered area protected from the sun, tables, bathrooms, and space for additional supportive services. City Commissioner Cynthia Garris said at the time that the facility would allow people with the greatest needs in the community to be served “a meal truly with dignity.”
Since opening, the city has continued improving the site. Two bike racks have already been installed, with four more planned. A barbecue grill has also been added with input from the fire marshal. UF Health’s mobile health bus continues serving the site monthly, though staff noted that staging and logistics are still being refined.
The pavilion is also becoming a point of connection for other services. A new partnership with Discover and Recover is bringing free drug rehabilitation and recovery services to the site on Tuesdays, expanding the program’s role beyond meals and into broader outreach and support.
Still, some planned services remain in development. Commissioners asked for more clarity on when showers and laundry will become available at the site. Perkins said the city is still reviewing operational details, including ADA access, door locks, staffing, safety, hot water capacity, and day-to-day procedures.
For community members who want to help, Dining with Dignity continues to depend on local organizations and volunteers. Home Again St. Johns describes the program as a collaborative effort in which participating groups take responsibility for procuring, preparing, and serving meals. Several area churches and civic groups also support the program through meal preparation, serving, supplies, hygiene items, and outreach.
Residents interested in getting involved can connect with Home Again St. Johns, reach out through participating local churches and community groups, or contact Dining with Dignity directly for information about meal service needs. According to St. Augustine Cares, residents can call Joe Petrone at (469) 667-6520 or email jnptrn@yahoo.com for more information about Dining with Dignity.
As the city continues refining operations at the new facility, officials say the goal remains the same: to create a safe, compassionate, and practical place where vulnerable residents can receive food, health resources, recovery support, and eventually access to basic hygiene services.
