The St. Petersburg Free Clinic is an independent social service organization providing temporary assistance to meet basic needs of individuals and families in the community: food, shelter, health care, limited financial assistance,and referral information. Beginning in 1970,a group of volunteers provided medical treatment for those who did not have access to health care.It soon became obvious that other help was needed and additional programs were added.Patients and clients are those who "fall through the cracks of other programs" and who need temporary, rather than long-term assistance.