Kobie was proud to serve as the Trivia Sponsor at the St. Pete Free Clinic’s annual Battle of the Minds event in St. Petersburg, Florida. The 2026 event raised over $1 million to support food access, healthcare, and essential services for Pinellas County residents in need. Kobie has partnered with the St. Pete Free Clinic for more than 15 years, making this one of the company’s longest and most meaningful community commitments.
What is the St. Pete Free Clinic’s Battle of the Minds?
Battle of the Minds is an annual fundraising gala hosted by the St. Pete Free Clinic (SPFC) in St. Petersburg, Florida. The event brings together hundreds of community members for an evening of live trivia, a donation auction, and celebration — all in support of the Clinic’s mission to serve people and feed compassion.
The St. Pete Free Clinic is Pinellas County’s largest food bank, distributing over 20 million pounds of food annually while also providing healthcare and wraparound support services to those in need.
What was Kobie’s role at the 2026 event?
This year, Kobie served as the Trivia Sponsor. Every attendee saw the Kobie brand on their phone throughout the trivia game, a natural fit for a company built around engagement and loyalty.
Beyond the sponsorship, ten Kobians attended the event as a team. During the live donation auction, multiple team members raised their own paddles to make personal donations to the SPFC.
As Kobie’s Chairwoman, Bonnie Hechtkopf shared: “This is always such a fun and meaningful night, supporting our community. I love having some of our Kobie teammates here to support.”
Why does Kobie support the St. Pete Free Clinic?
Kobie’s relationship with the SPFC spans more than 15 years, and it’s personal. Co-Founder and Chairwoman Bonnie Hechtkopf, a former registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition and public health, has been a champion of food security and community health throughout her career. In 2016, Bonnie served as lead donor for the purchase and renovation of a 14,000-square-foot warehouse, now the Jared S. Hechtkopf Food Bank, named after her late husband and Kobie’s original founder.
This partnership isn’t just driven by company initiatives. It’s embedded in Kobie’s culture. During the height of the pandemic in 2020, Kobie teammates rallied together through an internal activity challenge, raising over $200,000 for SPFC relief efforts. And as this year’s Battle of the Minds showed, that spirit hasn’t slowed down. Kobians continue to personally champion this cause, showing up not just as a company, but as individuals who believe in the mission.
FAQ
How much did Battle of the Minds 2026 raise?
The 2026 Battle of the Minds raised over $1 million for the St. Pete Free Clinic, supporting food access, healthcare, and essential services for Pinellas County residents.
How long has Kobie partnered with the St. Pete Free Clinic?
Kobie has supported the St. Pete Free Clinic for more than 15 years, making it one of the company’s longest-standing community partnerships.
How can I support the St. Pete Free Clinic?
Visit stpetersburgfreeclinic.org to learn more about their mission and find ways to donate, volunteer, or get involved in Pinellas County.
Learn more at www.kobie.com.
