Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office Advances Sustainable Development Goals Through Local Charity Initiative

The Pasco County Tax Collector’s office, through its “Pasco TC Gives” initiative, is making significant contributions toward achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a local level. The agency’s Charity of the Month program demonstrates a commitment to community welfare, focusing on poverty reduction, quality education, and strategic partnerships.

July 2023 Fundraising Campaign: Supporting SDG 1 and SDG 4

Financial Contribution and Program Focus

In July, the Tax Collector’s office raised $7,500 for the Pasco County School District’s “Assist, Believe & Care” (ABC) Program. This program directly addresses SDG 1 (No Poverty) by providing vital financial assistance to students and families experiencing economic hardship. By mitigating financial crises that interfere with a student’s ability to succeed academically, the initiative also strongly supports SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Impact and Fund Distribution

The recent fundraising brings the total contribution to the ABC Program to over $40,000. To maximize impact and address SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), the funds were distributed equally among five schools identified as having the greatest need. Each of the following schools received $1,500:

• Anclote Elementary School, Holiday
• Richey Elementary School, New Port Richey
• Connerton Elementary School, Land O’ Lakes
• Quail Hollow Elementary School, Wesley Chapel
• Rodney B. Cox Elementary School, Dade City

Broader Impact of the “Pasco TC Gives” Initiative on Community Well-being

Alignment with Multiple Sustainable Development Goals

The “Pasco TC Gives” initiative has a history of supporting a wide range of community needs, aligning with numerous SDGs. To date, the program’s accomplishments include:

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Supplied 500 backpacks filled with school supplies to students.
• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Provided holiday meals to more than 600 families.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Contributed over $35,000 to the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation and over $31,000 to Lauren’s Kids, an organization focused on child abuse prevention.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): Donated more than $22,000 to the Humane Society of Pasco to support animal welfare.

Fostering Partnerships and Future Endeavors (SDG 17)

Ongoing Commitment to Community Support

The initiative exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by creating a sustainable framework for collaboration between a government agency, the public school system, various non-profits, and the community. The office is currently raising funds for the Gulf Coast JFC’s “Heart Gallery,” a program that supports children in the foster care system, furthering its commitment to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Public Engagement and Contribution Channels

Community members are invited to participate in these charitable efforts. Donations can be made through several channels:

• In-person at any of the five Tax Collector’s office locations.
• Online via a dedicated webpage.
• By mail to P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL 33526-0276.

Office locations for in-person contributions are as follows:

1. East Pasco Government Center: 14236 6th St., Room 100, Dade City
2. West Pasco Government Center: 8731 Citizens Dr., Room 120, New Port Richey
3. Gulf Harbors: 4720 U.S. Hwy 19, New Port Richey
4. Land O’Lakes: 4135 Land O’Lakes Boulevard (Highway 41)
5. Wesley Chapel: 4610 Pet Lane, C 101

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article directly addresses the issue of poverty by highlighting the “ABC Program, which provides financial assistance to students and families experiencing economic hardship.” The initiative aims to alleviate the stress of “uncertain economic times” and other “financial and personal challenges” faced by families, which is the core mission of SDG 1.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The program’s primary goal is to ensure that financial needs do not “interfere with a student’s ability to be academically successful.” By providing funds and resources like “500 backpacks filled with school supplies,” the initiative directly supports creating an environment where students can achieve a quality education, which aligns with the objectives of SDG 4.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The entire effort described is a partnership. The “Pasco County Tax Collector’s offices” (a public entity) collaborates with “Pasco Schools” (another public entity) and the community (through donations) to achieve a common goal. The “Pasco TC Gives initiative” is a clear example of a multi-stakeholder partnership working to support local community needs, which is the essence of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 1.2: Reduce poverty in all its dimensions

  The article’s focus on providing “financial assistance to students and families experiencing economic hardship or crisis” is a direct effort to reduce the impact of poverty at a local level. The program assists those most vulnerable, which contributes to the broader goal of reducing poverty as defined by national and local contexts.

• Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education

  By removing financial barriers that could lead to poor attendance or dropping out, the ABC Program helps ensure students can stay in school and be “academically successful.” Providing essential “school supplies” is a practical step towards creating equitable educational opportunities for all students, regardless of their family’s economic situation.

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships

  The collaboration between the Tax Collector’s Office and Pasco County Schools, funded by community donations, is a textbook example of a local public-civil society partnership. The article highlights this model, stating, “his office proudly sponsored a donation drive benefiting the Pasco County School District’s ABC Program,” demonstrating an effective partnership to mobilize resources for sustainable development goals.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 4 (Quality Education)

  The article provides several quantitative indicators that measure the scale and impact of the financial support and resources provided:

  1. Total funds raised for the ABC Program: “The Tax Collector’s Office has so far raised more than $40,000 for the ABC Program.”
  2. Recent funds raised: “$7,500 in July for the Pasco Schools’ ABC Program.”
  3. Distribution of funds: “Five schools… are receiving $1,500 each.”
  4. In-kind contributions: The program has supplied “500 backpacks filled with school supplies.”
  5. Number of families assisted with other needs: The initiative provided “holiday meals to more than 600 families.”

• Indicators for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

  The success and scope of the partnership can be measured by the total amount of resources mobilized for various causes, demonstrating the partnership’s effectiveness:

  1. Total funds raised for multiple non-profits: The article mentions specific amounts donated to other organizations, such as “more than $22,000 to the Humane Society of Pasco,” “more than $35,000 to the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation,” and “more than $31,000 to Lauren’s Kids,” which indicates the strength and reach of the “Pasco TC Gives initiative” partnership model.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: floridapolitics.com