The government shutdown and SNAP benefits lapse are taking a huge toll in South Florida communities.

Hunger relief organizations – food banks and groups that host food distributions to those in need – are seeing a huge jump in demand in the wake of the government shutdown and changes in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program.

Feeding South Florida, a part of Feeding America, rescues food through farmers, ranches, retail and other sources in its network, and distributes it to families at their pantries in Pembroke Park and other points. They’ve been hosting emergency food distributions to help federal employees and their families who are not receiving paychecks, providing hundreds of care boxes filled with fresh produce, protein, dairy and shelf-stable items.They’re now open 8am-8pm Mon.-Sat., and have now opened on Sunday to meet the demand, says Paco Velez.

“These hardworking families are struggling,” he says. “It’s up to our community to take care of our neighbors,” he says.

In Miami-Dade County, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has launched a countywide emergency response. Details are here: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/initiatives/food-distribution/home.page

Those in need can call 211 or go to 211miami.org for help. 

Above photo: Feeding South Florida

ONGOING FOOD DISTRIBUTION

If you want to help as a volunteer, donate or distribute food, give money or help in any other way, here are quick links to local causes:

Miami Community Fridges
Village Free.dge
Be the Change South Florida
Green Haven Project
Urban Greenworks
Food Rescue US Miami
World Central Kitchen
Urban Oasis Project
Health in the Hood
Key West Little Pantry
SOS Foundation Key West

Note: Throughout South Florida, there are ongoing efforts to distribute boxes of fresh produce, groceries and meals for anyone in need. Some giveaways are funded by donations. All of these events are subject to change, so check before heading over.

REFRIGERATOR/PANTRY PROJECTS

Miami’s Community Fridges/Buddy System MIA

WHAT: Buchanan’s Whisky is teaming up with Buddy System MIA, the nonprofit behind Miami’s Community Fridges, and local artists to establish and stock 10 community fridges in Miami’s most food insecure communities with free, nourishing foods, providing more than 28,000 meals to local underserved communities. Prominent Miami artists Reyna Noriega, AholSniffsGlue and Vic Garcia displayed their works in the latest fridges as part of the canceled Miami Art Week.
WHEN: Through Buchanan’s donation, the group has seven fully stocked fridges to feed thousands of South Floridians in need.

WHERE:
Hialeah – New Vision Church, 921 E 47th St
Florida City – Florida City WIC Center, 753 W Palm Dr
Little Haiti – New Health Community Center, 6300 NE 2nd Ave.
Little Haiti – FANM – 100 NE 84 St.
Little Haiti Health Center – 300 NE 80 Terr.
Overtown – Dunns Overtown Farms, 937 NW 3rd Ave.
Coconut Grove – Adventure Sports, 3600 Grand Avenue

MORE INFO: Miami Community Fridge

Little Free Pantry

WHAT: Colorfully painted kiosks, like the Little Free Library stands, are devoted to foods. You can stop by to stock these pantries with nonperishable foods any time, or drop off food at B’nai Torah Congregation, 6261 SW 18 St., Boca Raton.

The Legacy Closet, 6000 W Atlantic Blvd., Margate
Chabad of Parkland, 7170 Loxahatchee Rd., Parkland
Chabad of Coral Springs, 3925 N University Dr., Coral Springs
Michelle’s International Learning House, 1800 Cathedral Dr., Margate
Temple Beth Orr, 2151 Riverside Dr., Coral Springs
The Legacy Closet, 18569 SW 104th Ave., Cutler Bay

MORE INFO: Little Free Pantry

JCS Kosher Food Bank

WHAT: The only food bank in Miami-Dade to help families who require kosher food, they provide food to more than 400 families, 70 Holocaust survivors and 225 children annually. Kosher Food Bank recipients are able to select from non-perishable staples and canned goods, fresh produce, meat and frozen items. They ‘shop’ during pre-arranged, scheduled appointments to ensure privacy and confidentiality.
WHEN: By appointment only. Call before visiting: (305) 947-8093. Fill out the JCS Access form.
HOURS: 8am-4pm Monday through Friday
MORE INFO: Email [email protected] for inquiries.

Dunns Overtown Farm

WHAT: Visit the farm for produce grown on the property. They also gather food boxes twice a week for families in need.
WHERE: 937 NW 3rd Ave, Miami
MORE INFO: Dunns Overtown Farm

Health in the Hood 

WHAT: Through their Filling Fridges program, they will provide fresh food, grocery gift cards and distributing prepared meals to local senior centers, homeless shelters and religious organizations.  
WHEN: Check their website for details.
WANT TO HELP? To connect with a group in need or volunteer, email Asha Walker. To donate, go here. Partners include The Office of City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, Lotus House, Opa-Locka Community Development Corporation, WOW Center, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, The Edison Senior Community Center, Feeding South Florida, Miami-Dade Schools, Jewish Community Services Kosher Food Bank, Farm Share and Eat Clean.

Coconut Grove Food Pantry

WHAT: This food pantry was established in 1984 by four sponsoring organizations: Christ Episcopal Church, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, and Plymouth Congregational Church. They collect food for those in need in Coconut Grove. They’ve announced the return of an old tradition: The Pink Church Monday night dinners, from 6-7pm, gives members of the households they serve a chance to relax, connect with others, and start the week with good food and a sense of community.  
WHERE: Christ Episcopal Church, 3475 William Avenue
WANT TO HELP? Coconut Grove Food Pantry

Key West Little Pantry

WHAT: Take what you need, leave what you don’t. The food pantry provides free non-perishable food items six days a week to families and individuals in need.
WHEN: Open Mon-Fri 1:30-7:30pm and Sat. 11:30am-4:30pm.
WHERE: Bahama Village: 101 Geraldine St. and St. James Little Pantry: 312 Olivia St. 
MORE INFO: Key West Little Pantry

Be the Change

WHAT: This nonprofit, which works to combat food insecurity and food space, has opened a new Community Resource Center with a food bank stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, eggs, milk, canned goods and pantry items. They also have clothing, toiletries, household goods, baby items, toys, books and other essentials for families in need.
WHEN: Open Monday-Saturday 10am-2pm
WHERE: 18569 SW 104 Ave. in Cutler Bay
MORE INFO: Be the Change

Sister Robin Street Market, Fort Lauderdale

WHAT: Drive-through, bike or walk for free vegetables
WHEN: First and third Saturdays of the month, 4-5pm
WHERE: 451 Tarpon Dr.
MORE INFO: Sister Robin Street Market

SOS Foundation, Florida Keys

WHAT: SOS has a food pantry on Stock Island in the Lower Keys and a food pantry in Key Largo in the Upper Keys. At their food pantries, visitors can choose the foods they want, including vegetables, fruits, meats, bread, and shelf-stable items like rice and beans.
WHEN: Key Largo: Mondays 1:30pm-5pm; Stock Island: Mon. & Thur. 9:30am-6pm and Tues. & Wed. 9:30am-3pm
WHERE: St. Justin’s, Key Largo, 105500 Overseas Highway; Stock Island, 5640 Maloney Ave.
MORE INFO: SOS Foundation

Meals on Wheels

WHAT: Meals on Wheels provides home-delivered meals and congregate site meals for older Americans in the U.S. You can find out where in South Florida they serve on the website.
MORE INFO: Learn more here. Find local agencies here.
WANT TO HELP? You can donate here.

FOOD GIVEAWAYS FOR ALL IN NEED

Feeding South Florida Distribution

WHAT: This organization distributes food regularly in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties and also does one-time food giveaways.
MORE INFO: Look for food distribution events here.
WANT TO HELP? Donate here. Volunteer here.

Farm Share Distribution

WHAT: Look for regular food distributions in South Florida.
MORE INFO: Farm Share

Wed., Nov. 12, 9am-noon, Miami: Charles Hadley Park, 1350 NW 50 St
Wed., Nov. 12, 10am-1pm, Miami Gardens: 16405 NW 25 Ave.
Thur., Nov. 13, 9am-noon, Miami: JL and Enid W Demps Park, 11350 SW 216 St
Fri., Nov. 14, 9am-noon, Miami: 5361 NW 22 Ave.
Fri., Nov. 14, 10am-1pm, Oakland Park: Heart Community Resource Center, 3736 W Oakland Park Blvd.
Tue., Nov. 18, 9am-noon, North Miami Beach: CG Bethel High School, 16150 NE 17 Ave.
Wed., Nov. 19, 9am-noon, Miami: 6304 NW 14 Ave.
Wed., Nov, 19, 10am-1pm, Kendall: Kendall Soccer Park, 8011 SW 127 Ave.
Fri., Nov. 21, 9am-noon, North Miami Beach: Greynolds Park, 17530 W Dixie Hwy.
Sat., Nov. 22, 10am-1pm, Fort Lauderdale: 1530 NW 6 St.
Mon., Nov. 24, 11am-1pm, West Park: 3501 SW 56 Ave.
Tues., Mov. 25, 9am-noon, North Miami Beach: Victory Park Pool, 1980 NE 171 St.
Wed., Dec. 3, 9am-noon, Miami: 6304 NW 14 Ave.
Fri., Dec. 5, 10am-1pm, Oakland Park: Heart Community Resource Center, 3736 W Oakland Park Blvd.
Wed., Dec. 10, 9am-noon, Miami: 6304 NW 14 Ave.
Thur., Dec. 11, 9am-noon, Miami: JL and Enid W Demps Park, 11350 SW 216 St.
Sat., Dec. 13, 9am-noon, Miami: 6849 NW 15 Ave.
Wed., Dec. 17, 9am-noon, Miami: 6304 NW 14 Ave.
Sat., Dec. 20, 9am-noon, Miami: 22655 SW 112 Ave.
Wed., Dec. 24, 9am-noon, Miami: 6304 NW 14 Ave.
Wed., Dec. 31, 9am-noon, Miami: 6304 NW 14 Ave.
Wed., Jan. 7, 9am-noon, Miami: 6304 NW 14 Ave.
Thur., Jan. 8, 9am-noon, Miami: JL and Enid W Demps Park, 11350 SW 216 St.

Food Rescue US Miami

WHAT: They’re on the scene rescuing food from big events.
MORE INFO: Food Rescue US Miami
WANT TO HELP? Food Rescue US relies on volunteer help. Find out more here.

Joshua’s Heart Foundation

WHAT: Drive-through food distribution on Thursdays from noon-5pm in North Miami. 
MORE INFO: 2056 NE 155 St., North Miami Beach
WANT TO HELP? Joshua’s Heart Foundation

Miami Marlins 

WHAT: They host regular food distributions in the neighborhood.
WANT TO HELP? Marlins Impact

Urban Oasis Project Food Accessibility Projects

WHAT: Food and veggie boxes for those in need, including people being bailed out of jail and their families, through @FemPowerMia; veggie boxes for folks in homeless camps in Miami every week. They are also working to connect with schools and other organizations to help spread the word about their EBT/SNAP food stamp doubling program. Check their website for more information. 
WHEN: Ongoing
WHERE: Throughout Miami
MORE INFO: Here’s their website.
WANT TO HELP? You can donate food boxes on their ordering website here.

MEALS FOR KIDS

Florida Summer BreakSpot for Kids

Kids and teens 18 and under can get free meals during the summer at various spots in South Florida. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services partners with schools and organizations to provide breakfast and lunch. An interactive map will show you all the places in Miami-Dade, Broward and the Keys – and the entire state.

FIND OUT MORE: Summer BreakSpot