From humble beginnings in St Mary's Catholic Church in 1982, Daystar has grown to be a major nonprofit reaching out to clients throughout Pinellas County. The organization makes extensive use of volunteers who provide services to the almost 12% of Pinellas County neighbors who live below the poverty line. Daystar provides basic necessities on an emergency basis to help individuals and families avoid homelessness, hunger and hopelessness by providing emergency help with food and clothing, rent and utility bills, transportation assistance through gas vouchers and bus passes and communications assistance through access to telephones, secure mail and computers.