LifeNet4Families | Cooperative Feeding Program has over 29 years of service to the hungry and homeless of Broward County. From the humble beginnings of distributing a few peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to the homeless, to today’s provision of 1.3 million meals a year, our dramatic development has reflected both the growing numbers and the growing needs of the poor in our community. We are proud to have worked with so many community organizations as we do everything in our power to reduce the pain and suffering of those needing food and resources to improve their lives. Broward County Community Kitchen: Lifenet4families offers daily, hot, nutritious meals in our community kitchen. While mainly serving Broward’s ever-expanding homeless population, the dining room is also the place where hungry families can visit during the summer when no school meals are available. The community kitchen is open to anyone who is in need. Diners line up to await the opening of the center at 8:30 a.m. On most days, the food distribution is completed by 11:00 a.m. If it’s close to the end of the month and people have exhausted all their money and food, we often see a sharp increase in the number of people waiting on line to eat. On those days, the kitchen will remain open a bit longer to facilitate all those who have waited in line to get some food. Lunch: LifeNet4Families expanded to include a carry away lunch. We were observing hungry people cutting in line two or three times trying to stockpile food. Empty Styrofoam coffee cups were filled with spaghetti and shoved into back pockets. Other folks found containers in the garbage and were taking second and third trays of food, only to scoop up the second helping and stash it for dinner. Concerned about health and safety issues, along with the time period some people had to stand on line in the hot sun while others returned to the serving line multiple times, we allowed our diners only one trip through the service line, but provided them a take a way lunch. Sometimes, sandwiches are provided by schools, churches or civic groups that committed to making those sandwiches on a continual basis. We also receive salvaged sandwiches from the Extra Helpings food delivery program. The program collects day old food from convenience stores and gives it to us to distribute to the hungry. Currently, we are distributing about 200 sandwiches or lunch packs each day. Our kitchen was built with a sponsorship from the American Culinary Federation. The serving line carries the name of our long-time supporter Publix Super Markets Charities. Emergency Food Pantry Broward County: Our ability to meet the needs of our neighbors is a direct result of a generous community. We receive food donations from a wide variety of groups and local businesses. We receive financial assistance from individuals, corporations and foundations. Our volunteers are the heart of our organization, providing a positive experience for our clients. How can you help? Food drives, year round, continue to be the best way to keep our shelves stocked with good food choices. If you take on the food drive challenge, ask for peanut butter, healthy low sugar cereal, shelf stable milk and brown rice.
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 (954) 792-2328 to book your appointment.
Address :
33 Rd Terrace Ft,
Lauderdale, FL 33311.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lauderdale
Help Residents of Counties:
- Broward
Appointments
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.
For the full set of services, you can call (954) 792-2328 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
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.