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Last night, the House voted 222 to 209 to end the 43-day government shutdown and President Donald Trump signed the legislation to re-open the federal government.
Food benefits are expected to be restored quickly to the 1 in 8 Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP — the country’s largest federal anti-hunger program. In Orange County, around 175,000 county residents currently rely on SNAP benefits for food assistance, according to a recent county press release. Still, the New York Times reported that confidence in the program, and in the government’s ability to provide a social safety net to its most vulnerable citizens, has been severely undermined.
Two weeks ago, in a letter, all 43 Democratic state legislators urged Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency on food insecurity so Florida could provide additional funds and resources to help the 3 million SNAP recipients, including 1.5 million children. Additionally, eight Democratic members of Florida’s congressional delegation sent a letter around the same time, urging the governor and Attorney General James Uthmeier to join a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s refusal to release contingency funds to pay for SNAP.
The governor refused.
In uncertain times, and with the holidays approaching, VoxPopuli has compiled a list of distribution events, food pantries and other resources that residents can access when they need to stretch their budgets and fill their cupboards.
HOLIDAY FOOD GIVEAWAY at Union Park Elementary School
Courtesy of Orange County District 5 Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, this holiday food giveaway is open to all on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. It’s recommended that folks arrive early.
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 15, 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: 1844 Westfall Drive, Orlando
TURKEY GIVEAWAY at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office
The Orange County Sheriff's Office is giving away one turkey per household while supplies last.
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to noon
WHERE: 2500 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
CONTACT: 407-836-4357
THANKSGIVING MEAL KIT DISTRIBUTION at Valencia College East Campus
Heart of Florida United Way will distribute Thanksgiving meal kits — including shelf-stable food items, a roasting pan, a dessert pan, resource information and a grocery gift card. The organization also provides a statewide listing of food banks.
WHEN:: Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m. to noon
WHERE:: 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando
TURKEY GIVEAWAY at Inter&Co Stadium
Courtesy of Publix, the City of Orlando, Orlando Pride and Orlando District 5 Commissioner Shan Rose, free turkeys with side dishes will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 24, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: 655 W Church Street, Orlando
CONTACT: 407-246-2005
TURKEY GIVEAWAY at Pendas Law Firm
The legal team at Pendas is giving away free turkeys while supplies last.
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 25, 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: 625 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
TURKEY/CANNED FOOD GIVEAWAY at Barnett Park Recreation Center
Courtesy of Second Harvest, MC Community Care, Men’s Closet, Mandel Law, Orange County District 6 Commissioner Mike Scott and Orlando District 5 City Commissioner Shan Rose, turkeys will be distributed inside the recreation center while supplies last.
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2 to 5 p.m.
WHERE: 801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
United Against Poverty Orlando offers a member grocery program and a small emergency food pantry for first-time visitors.
WHEN: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m
WHERE: 150 W. Michigan Street, Orlando
Neighborhood Center for Families has multiple emergency food pantries across the county. Click the link to find locations in West Orange, Apopka/Zellwood, Bithlo/Christmas, Eatonville, Englewood, Ivey Lane, Lake Weston, Oak Ridge, Pine Hills, Taft, Tangelo Park and Union Park.
Foundation of Lights Mosque in Ocoee operates a twice-monthly food pantry that’s open to all community members “regardless of religion, race or ethnicity.”
WHEN: Second and fourth Saturdays of the month, 8 to 10 a.m.
WHERE: 120 Floral Street, Ocoee
CONTACT: 407-421-9520
Christian Service Center For The Homeless provides food pantry and clothing to residents (proof of residency required) at its Orlando and Ocoee locations. Its Daily Bread soup kitchen is open to all for lunch six days a week (Monday to Friday, Noon to 1 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to Noon).
The Hope Center operates a food pantry in Winter Garden.
WHEN: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: 1010 South Dillard Street, Winter Garden
CONTACT: 407-347-3842
One Heart For Women and Children offers an appointment-based, drive-up community food pantry. New clients receive food on their first visit and can register for future appointments in person. One Heart also conducts monthly mobile food distributions on the third Wednesday of every month throughout Orlando.
WHEN: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: 2040 N. Rio Grande Avenue, Orlando
CONTACT: Info@helponeheart.org for information about mobile food distribution or fill out a form for monthly updates.
Jewish Family Services’ Orlando Pearlman Food Pantry offers food pickup by appointment and with photo ID.
WHEN: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: 2100 Lee Road, Winter Park
CONTACT: 407-644-7593 to request appointment
El Bethel Temple Ministries at Orlando allows Orange County residents to access the food pantry every two weeks.
WHEN:: Thursdays, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: 3000 Bruton Boulevard, Orlando
CONTACT: 407-648-1975
The Life Center Church in Eatonville offers a drive-up food pantry.
WHEN: Second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, 10 a.m. to noon
WHERE: 63 E. Kennedy Boulevard, Eatonville
CONTACT: 407-628-3229 for emergency food assistance
The Kingdom Church operates a food pantry at its Orlando West Campus.
WHEN: Second and fourth Mondays of the month, 4 to 6 p.m. and every third Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon
WHERE: 800 N. Pine Hills Road, Orlando
CONTACT: To shop the pantry, text “SHOP” to 407-449-8884
Pine Hills Community Church provides food pantry services.
WHEN: Second, third and fourth Wednesdays of the month, 10 a.m. to noon
WHERE: 1305 N. Pine Hills Road, Orlando
International Harvest Church of God operates a food pantry in Orlando.
WHEN: Wednesdays, 4 to 5 p.m.
WHERE: 2740 Old Winter Garden Road, Orlando
CONTACT: 407-849-2226 or register online
Knights Pantry allows UCF students, with valid student ID, to visit once a day.
WHEN: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Summer) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: UCF Student Union, 12715 Pegasus Drive, Orlando 32816
Tars Food Pantry is available to Rollins College students.
WHEN: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE:: Center for Leadership and Community Engagement, Karen W. Rollins Hall, 2nd Floor, 1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park
Valencia College offers multiple food pantries on its campuses that students can access once a day throughout the year.
WHEN: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: See link for location and registration details.
The Salvation Army operates a food pantry and provides other social services at its Orlando location.
WHEN: Monday to Friday 1 to 3 p.m.
WHERE: 416 West Colonial Drive, Orlando 32804
CONTACT: 407-423-8581.
The Islamic Circle of North America offers a food pantry and additional services at its Orlando location.
WHEN: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: 701 S. Kirkman Road, Orlando
CONTACT: 866-354-0102, ext. 2312
Matthew's Hope provides a food pantry for individuals experiencing homelessness.
WHEN: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to noon
WHERE: 611 Business Park Boulevard, #101, Winter Garden
Pet Alliance Orlando operates a pet food pantry for Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. When food is available, it’s announced on their social media pages. Because of demand, no November distribution date has been set.
WHEN: See social media for pick-up announcements.
WHERE: 2800 County Home Road, Sanford
Happy Trails Animal Rescue operates a pet food pantry available for residents of Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties. Clients are encouraged to call ahead to check availability.
WHEN: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WHERE: 1720 N Goldenrod Rd., Unit 8, Orlando
CONTACT: 407-270-7074
Through Moms Meals, those who are 65+, disabled or on Medicare or Medicaid, can receive free or low-cost medically tailored meals delivered to their homes.
Use the Feed Hope Now Food Finder to search for nearby food assistance options.
The Orange County Government Crisis Assistance Program can provide help with emergency rent, mortgage and utility payments.
Contact the Senior Resource Alliance Elder Helpline at 407-514-1800 to find aging, disability and caregiver resources.
