A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in The Villages, Florida distribute groceries to individuals or families who are in some form of an emergency situation.
There are also meals, free bags of food, personal toiletries and household goods for low to moderate income families from food pantries near you.
Distribution centers can include churches, non-profit organizations, community action agencies, and many other local charities as well as non-profits.
Salvation Army Food Pantry
The Salvation Army is dedicated to eliminating food insecurity.
The Salvation Army operates free local food banks around The Villages, Florida from almost all of their local social service centers. The charity organization is involved in feeding millions of families each year, with a large percentage of those assisted being children as well as the elderly.
We have located 3 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in The Villages, Florida which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Sumter County, FL
Services provided :
- Worship Services - Church
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 568-2284 to book your appointment.
Address :
870 N Main St,
Bushnell, FL 33513.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Sumter
The Salvation Army of Lake & Sumter County - Sumter County Service Center
The Sumter County Service Center in Bushnell, FL is an extension of the Lake County Salvation Army Corps. Started in 2004, the Service Center serves people in the Sumter County area by helping with utilities, food, and the Christmas program, among other things. It's part of the United Way/Human Care Network.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 568-2284 to book your appointment.
Address :
870 Main St,
Bushnell, FL 33513.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Bushnell
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sumter
The Salvation Army of Lake & Sumter County - Lake County Corps
Knowing no social, ethnic, or class boundaries, The Salvation Army ministers to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals and families in Lake and Sumter counties.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 365-0079 to book your appointment.
Address :
2105 W Main St,
Leesburg, FL 34748.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Leesburg
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around The Villages, Florida have food pantries for those in their neighborhoods who are in need of food items.
Churches operate with food donations gathered and deliver to the food pantry nearest you by individuals using food drives.
Some churches also deliver food items to elderly who are unable to drive to a nearest community food pantry. Please contact your local church directly.
We have located 1 Church Food Pantry locations in The Villages, Florida which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Lake Panasoffkee United Methodist Church - Emergency Food Pantry
Serving Lake Panasoffkee and Sumterville Families in Crisis. Hours: 9 A.M. - Noon Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 793-3438 to book your appointment.
Address :
589 Cr 470 Lk,
Panasoffkee, FL 33538.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Panasoffkee
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sumter
Catholic Charities Food Pantry
Resources provided by the Catholic Charity organization focus on addressing food, holiday, and immigration needs.
Families of all religions, backgrounds, and cultures can contact Catholic Charity centers for help.
Catholic Charities in The Villages, Florida are open to families on a first-come, first-serve basis. The centers operate during normal business hours, and provide walk-ins with groceries, food boxes, and items to prepare a meal.
The food pantries are like grocery stores, allow clients the ability to choose the items they need from the groceries that are available on site.
First-time clients of the food pantry will need to apply, and this is done from a one-page application. An applicant will need to provide basic household member as well as demographic information.
We have located 2 Catholic Charities Food Pantry locations in The Villages, Florida which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
St. Theresa Catholic Community Social Services
The Mission-Goal of St. Theresa’s Social Services is To help the poor of South Marion County build a stronger foundation upon which they can build or rebuild their life. We offer a meal to the hungry, groceries to the poor, and clothing to the impoverished. We offer minimal financial assistance when funds are available and full use of our community resource center. Our community resource center has computers where clients can go on-line to seek employment, attach resumes’, file for unemployment, apply for food stamps, check their email and do research for classes. St. Theresa’s Social Services, offer a hand up, not a hand out. We have a wonderful staff of volunteers who each are specialized in their own way, to help contribute to the well being of our clients. We feel blessed to have each and every volunteer here at St Theresa’s. Our Spiritual Goal is very similar to our Financial Goal. We pray daily for the funds and groceries to keep us going daily. Somehow God and You (friends of St Theresa’s) provide us with enough to keep us going.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 245-1359 to book your appointment.
Address :
11528 S E Hwy 301,
Belleview, FL 34420.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Belleview
Help Residents of Counties:
- Marion
Catholic Charities of Central Florida - Food Pantry (Lake County)
The mission of Catholic Charities of Central Florida is to provide vital social services to people in need, regardless of their religious, social or economic background, to improve lives of individuals, families and the community. Food Assistance is available through Catholic Charities of Central Florida’s regional Food Pantries.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 787-6354 to book your appointment.
Address :
1321 Sunshine Ave,
Leesburg, FL 34748.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Leesburg
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around The Villages, Florida almost entirely by volunteers.
It provides a 7-day supply of groceries and personal care items free of charge to people in need, regardless of their religious beliefs.
Helping Hands is supported entirely by donations from individuals, service organizations, churches, and businesses in our community.
Find a local helping hands food pantry open near you.
We have located 0 Helping Hand Food Pantry locations in The Villages, Florida which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Mobile Food Pantry
The mobile food pantry program distributes food directly to families in communities around The Villages, Florida in need during large-scale one-day distributions.
A typical mobile pantry serves 200-250 families distributing up to 10,000 pounds of food. This past year over 6.6 million pounds were distributed through this program.
Mobile food pantries usually visit churches, community centers, schools, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. They usually go to areas where there aren't grocery stores or other food pantries.
Mobile Food Pantry Schedule 2024
Unlike traditional food pantries where you go to them, mobile pantry trucks come to you. Food banks sometimes have an online mobile food pantry schedule.
Mobile food pantry scheduled to visit a community once a week or once a month. There may be last-minute cancellations or changes so recheck the mobile food pantry schedule before you plan to go.
We have located 0 Mobile Food Pantry locations in The Villages, Model.Content.StateName which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
The St. Vincent de Paul food pantry operates around The Villages, Florida much like a grocery store where people in need can choose their own food. It helps to enhance their personal dignity and reduces waste due to unwanted food items.
It also helps them to be proactive in addressing any underlying health issues. This is our model of choice for food pantries in the future.
We have located 1 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry locations in The Villages, Florida which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
St. Vincent DePaul Church Outreach Ministry - Food Pantry
Our pantry is now open on the 2nd & 4th Friday of each month, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We are located at 210 Wonders Street in downtown Wildwood.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 430-3541 to book your appointment.
Address :
210 Wonders St,
Wildwood, FL 34785.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Wildwood
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sumter
Food Pantry Delivery Program
Food Pantry Delivery Program delivers food and other products once a month at twenty points in around The Villages, Florida area. This makes it just a bit easier for some of more remote rural agencies to receive their products. About 70% of members take advantage of the Food Pantry Delivery Program.
Food Pantry
We have located 5 Food Pantry locations in The Villages, Florida which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Christian Food Pantry
The pantry is a ministry of North Lake Presbyterian Church which opened in 1998. Our supplemental grocery program for local families in need, improves their quality of life, helps sustain health, good nutrition, energy, human dignity and the opportunity for family members to meet their full potential. In 1998, Jane Waters and Vernie Miller, members of NLPC, witnessed poverty in the Lady Lake area. They noticed neighbors doing without basic food staples. The two decided they would take action. The Christian Food Pantry was born. The Villages formed a partnership with NLPC and built an 1150 square foot building in one day! The idea turned into reality and the pantry opened to help local families in need with supplemental groceries. The pantry quickly became an important ministry of North Lake Presbyterian Church helping hundreds of local families. In 2010 pantry volunteers realized that some clients were facing giving up their family pet because they couldn’t afford pet food. In many cases, the pet is the sole company for senior clients. The pantry decided to expand it mission to include assisting clients with pet food. In 2013 through your generosity and partnerships with local stores through Feed Hope Now (Second Harvest), 264,000 pounds of food was distributed to our 11,500 clients. In January 2014 the pantry helped 458 local families, representing over 1200 individuals, about one third have a family pet. All are trying to make ends meet with poverty level income, either from working, social security income or disability income. Most are doing as much as they are able to help themselves. They all appreciate the help provided by the pantry and don’t hesitate to let us know.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 259-0788 to book your appointment.
Address :
103 High Ave,
Lady Lake, FL 32159.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Lady Lake
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
Hope Ministries Center, Inc. - Food Distribution
Here at Hope Ministries we have two types of distribution. On the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month we distribute food from our Food Pantry and on the 4th Wednesday of each month we distribute food from the USDA program. All distribution days begin at 9:00am and end at 12:00pm.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 568-7729 to book your appointment.
Address :
5260 S Us Hwy 301,
Bushnell, FL 33513.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Bushnell
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sumter
Beyond the Walls Food Pantry
Beyond the Walls Food Pantry is a a ministry of Heritage Community Church. The mission of the Food Pantry is to provide physical and spiritual nourishment to our friends and neighbors who are in need. We are open for neighbors to pick up food, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am until 1pm.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 431-3935 to book your appointment.
Address :
509 W Berckman St,
Fruitland Park, FL 34731.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Fruitland Park
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
Grace Tabernacle Food Pantry
Grace Tabernacle's food pantry isn't just about meeting physical needs...it's about meeting spiritual needs as well. Counselors are available each week as we hand out food to those who are in need in our community. Open Tuesday from 10 am - Noon
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 748-3255 to book your appointment.
Address :
7279 E County Road 468,
Wildwood, FL 34785.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Wildwood
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sumter
Wildwood Soup Kitchen
The Wildwood Soup Kitchen serves the poor, the hungry, and the lonely by providing healthy, nutritious and appetizing meals to all who come to us. We also deliver meals to shut-ins and others who are unable to come to the Soup Kitchen. Every person who comes to us for assistance is welcomed, without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, handicap, or income. Wildwood Soup Kitchen provides free delivery of meals Monday through Friday to Wildwood residents who are confined to their homes. For more information on qualification for delivery of meals, click here. The Wildwood Soup Kitchen is staffed by caring and loving volunteers inspired by the Gospel mandate to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, and welcome the stranger. We are a true ecumenical ministry with over 150 volunteers from nearly 30 churches in the Wildwood area. Regular Schedule: Doors Open – 10:30 AM; Lunch (Daily except on Sundays) – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 748-1008 to book your appointment.
Address :
203 Barwick St,
Wildwood, FL 34785.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Wildwood
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sumter
Drive-thru Food Pantries
Since the start of the coronavirus, drive-thru food pantries have become the safest, most efficient way to provide food to our struggling neighbors.
Who can visit a drive-thru pantry?
Drive-thru pantries are open for anyone who needs help getting food. There are no eligibility criteria. Visitors do not need to provide any identification or income statements.
Only two piece of information is asked
- You Zipcode, and
- Number of people in their family.
You dont need to take appointment. Drive-thru pantries are first-come, first served so plan to arrive early.
How do drive-thru pantries actually work?
There are lot of volunteers help at Drive-thru food pantries. While not all drive-thru pantries operate in the same way, here�s how most work:
Staff and volunteers direct visitors to the parking area.
Visitors pull up to the pantry in their car and are usually guided into a clearly marked queue. As people move through the pantry, staff will continue to move the cars forward to get everyone through as quickly and safely as possible.
Checkin.
You are required to fill some information for Pantry's recording keeping.
Food is loaded into the cars.
Pre-packed bags of food, usually full of shelf-stable items like pasta, canned fruit and peanut butter, as well as fresh produce and meats are loaded by volunteers into the trunk of the car.
Pet Food Pantry
One in four pet owners who give up their pets to a shelter say it is because they cannot afford to care for them. Pet Food Pantries are designed to fill the void in the nation�s current assistance programs that exclude the purchase of food and supplies for family pets.
The Pet Food Pantry provides free pet food, for 3 months or less, to pet owners who cannot afford to feed their pets in The Villages, Florida
Who are eligible for Pet Food Pantry
Pet Food Pantry helps people who are:
- All ages, races and marital status
- Unemployed or underemployed
- Retired, living on social security or other limited income
- Physically or mentally disabled
- Experiencing homelessness or housing instability
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?
Specifically, food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to food pantry?
At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.