Take what you need – leave what you don’t
In South Florida, extra food can find a home whether you’re on the giving or receiving end. A new app lets you get discounts on unsold foods from local restaurants, bakeries and cafes. Food giveaways have evolved far beyond the annual canned-good drives. Food rescues for consumers, restaurants and events, community fridges and food pantries help get unused food into the hands of those in need. Most are powered by volunteers – sign up to deliver, restock and clean fridges.
Little Free Pantry
btcboca.org/littlefreepantry
Colorfully painted kiosks, like the Little Free Library stands, are devoted to food. 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; Chabad of Parkland, 7170 Loxahatchee Rd., Parkland; Chabad of Coral Springs, 3925 N University Dr., Coral Springs; The Legacy Closet, 6000 W Atlantic Blvd., Margate; Michelle’s International Learning House, 1800 Cathedral Dr., Margate; Temple Beth Or, 2151 Riverside Dr., Coral Springs.
Food Rescue US-South Florida
foodrescue.us/site/food-rescue-us-south-florida
Since it started in 2018, this nonprofit has provided more than 5,400,000 meals and kept six million pounds of food out of the landfill. Volunteers rescue food at everything from big events like the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix to grocery stores like Trader Joe’s and deliver it to social service agencies. Volunteers, food donors and social service agencies use their app to participate in food recovery work all across the country.
Be the Change
Be the Change Facebook page
This nonprofit, which works to combat food insecurity and food space, has opened a new Community Resource Center at 18569 SW 104 Ave. in Cutler Bay open Monday-Saturday 10am-2pm. Their food bank is 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.
Buddy System
buddysystemmia.com
Founded in 2020 to help food-insecure households during the pandemic, Buddy System operates Miami Community Fridge and a Homebound Food Access program. The fridge program is simple – drop off what you don’t need, take what you do. Volunteers are welcome.
FANM, Little Haiti
Holland Hall, Hialeah
New Health Community Center, Little Haiti
The Polished Coconut, Coconut Grove
Ruth A. Tinsman Pavillion, Hialeah
Williams Groceries, Richmond Heights
Alley behind Urban Resource, North Beach
Healthy Little Havana, Little Havana
Key West Little Pantry
Facebook: KeyWestLittlePantry
Bahama Village: 101 Geraldine St.
St. James Little Pantry: 312 Olivia St.
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. It’s open Mon-Fri 1:30-7:30pm and Sat. 11:30am-4:30pm.
