Phone: (407) 944-9968
Address: 700 Union St, Kissimmee, FL 34741. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Osceola Christian Ministry Center has been growing hope for ten years. We've done it by helping the homeless and underemployed in Osceola county with an array of services. We help with meals, clothing, showers, food, medical and dental care and spiritual needs. Everything is free of charge. Last year, 2,075 individuals came to the Center to get help. While some of these people are regular clients, most were people who were in need of temporary assistance because of financial difficulties or because they were new to the area. For many of them, we were a helping hand that helped get them on their feet. Osceola Christian Ministry Center is a 501(c)(3) and is operated by First Baptist Church of Kissimmee. We are able to do all we do through the generosity of 27 local churches as well as civic groups and individuals. Last year we had 20,100 volunteer hours. We are truly a faith-based organization and receive no government funding. The Daily Meal: Most of us have never gone hungry. But many in our community have. We offer a hot meal each weekday. Sometimes it's the first meal someone has had in a couple of days. We average 110 meals per day. Twenty-Seven churches supply the food, dinnerware and workers on a rotating basis. The Food Pantry: Our Food Pantry gave out 1,233 bags of groceries in 2009. It is essential help for families who have found themselves in financial straits. Nearly all of the food used has been donated. It has been truly amazing to see how the radical increase in demand for this service has been matched by the supply of food to meet that demand.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (407) 944-9968 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Kissimmee
Help Residents of Counties:
- Osceola
Appointments
Ask whether you need an appointment before you visit.
You can call (407) 944-9968 to ask about appointments, hours, and what to bring.
Need more food help? See Food banks in Osceola County, Florida.
Food Pantry in Near By City
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.
Some 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.
This is often a 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, Infants, and 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?
Food pantries typically provide shelf-stable items such as:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to a food pantry?
Rules vary by food pantry. Many ask only that you say you need help, while others may ask for ID, proof of address, income information, or a referral. Call ahead to find out what to bring.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry often provides food packages meant to last a few days 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 food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Those organizations then provide this food directly to families in need.