Organizations in South Florida offer free food distribution for families needing help. Some sites provide drive-through pickups, while others offer doorstep deliveries for eligible participants.
Food distributions are in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach. Often the organizations accept volunteers and donations.
This list is periodically revised to reflect new distribution sites. It's wise to phone or verify on social websites if an event is on the day you're interested in.
Featured events
Sunrise
Farm Share is is offering a food distribution in Sunrise 9 a.m. – about 12 p.m. Saturday, July 27, while supplies last. The venue is Torre Fuerte Church, 7800 NW 39th Street, Sunrise 33351. For information, 954-746-3430
Hollywood, for Broward residents
Register online for Back to School and Family Fun event for Broward residents. The event includes free groceries for the first 125 families.
The bash is 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, August 10 at Washington Park recreation, 5199 Pembroke Road, Hollywood. Proof of residence in Broward and registration online is required. Event includes free haircuts for boys and hair styling for girls and free backpacks and supplies for ages 6 – 17 while supplies last. A parent needs to be with student. The event includes entertainment, refreshments, and vendors. The first 125 families receive free groceries. Other Back To School events.
Summer food program for students
The summer food program for kids 18 and younger is offered at participating schools, libraries and other public locations in Broward, Dade and greater Palm Beach. Some participating venues serve breakfast. Others serve lunch. Some serve both. For most of the venues, no registration is required. The program is presented by US Department of Agriculture and partners.
Venues providing the free breakfasts, lunches and snacks are offered online, by text, or by phone.
- log on to the website
- text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304
- dial 2-1-1 on your phone
Farm Share
Farm Share is a nonprofit organization that distributes fruits, vegetables and other food items, offers drive-through distribution events in Florida. Free food items provided usually include fresh produce, nonperishable items and water. To obtain food, you need to arrive in a vehicle with a trunk or cargo bed. Information on drive-through pickups is online. First-come, first served. Financial donations are accepted via FarmShare.org
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Dial 2-1-1 for information and referrals for food distributions in your region, including greater Palm Beach, Broward and Dade.
Feeding South Florida
Feeding South Florida and its partners offer occasional free food distribution events in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. The website also offers a list of participating organizations. Information is on the web
Sister Robin Street Market
Vegetables and bread food drive-through distribution, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. first and third Saturdays October – May, 451 Tarpon Drive, Fort Lauderdale. Information on Facebook .
La Bodega
La Bodega food pantry at Allapatah YMCA offers food distributions 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Mondays – Fridays, 2370 NW 17 Avenue, Miami, 305- 635-9622, website. Tickets to receive items are handed out at 1 p.m., while supplies last. It's wise to phone ahead to be sure the event is on the day you are interested in.
Urban Oasis Project
Urban Oasis Project offers boxes of local produce to eligible recipients in Miami-Dade. The request form is online.
Palm Beach Food Bank
The food bank offers information on participating organizations that provide food distributions.
Miramar
Food distribution 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. while supplies last Saturday, June 1, 6700 Miramar Parkway
Organizations offering free or inexpensive Pet Food
Tamarac Pet Pantry for eligible residents of Tamarac
The Pet Project for eligible Broward residents, 954-568-5678, Information about the organization and donating is online
School programs
Free and reduced-price lunches and breakfast are offered for students at public schools.
Palm Beach county School District
Other food distribution programs:
Eligibility requirements may vary.
Hours occasionally are revised. It's wise to phone or verify on social platforms before you go.
- Seed of Hope Ministries: occasional food distributions; information on Facebook
- Worship Center Blessed Ministries: 1793 Opa-Locka Blvd., Opa-Locka; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays; 786-704-2009
- Craig's Pantry, for Jewish Broward residents that fit eligibility requirements, 954-648-6359, craigspantry.org
- Riviera Presbyterian Church: 5275 Sunset Drive, Miami; 305-666-8586; provides families with nonperishable items Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., while supplies last. Walk-up distribution. Financial donations are accepted via rivierachurch.org
- Curley's House of Style: 6025 NW Sixth Court, Miami; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 305-754-7784 or 305-759-9805
- Unity Baptist Church, 13001 NW Seventh Ave., North Miami; usually 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; 786-486-0898
- True Deliverance Church: 18300 SW 109th Ave., Miami; Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon; 305-254-2163; drive-thru operation
- King Jesus International Ministry drive-thru: 13850 SW 143rd Court, Miami, or church lot, 14100 SW 144th Ave., Miami; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-11 a.m., while supplies last (early arrival recommended); 305-382-3171.
- Soref JCC in Plantation, food pantry with drive-thru pickups by appointment; participants need to register with a partnering social service agency. For information on social service agencies, use Broward 2-1-1, online or call 211.
Food for students during summer
Free food for kids and teens is offered at libraries, schools and other venues in Broward, greater Palm Beach and Dade when school is on break.
For sites where food is distributed log online, dial 2-1-1 or Text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 304-304
Food aid for seniors:
- Health in the Hood is distributing food to Miami's most vulnerable citizens, including seniors, through its “Filling Fridges” project.
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami is providing meals to those in need 60 or older, who live independently in their homes and are registered with the program. Information: 305-754-2444 or online
- Glory Temple Ministry, 7950 NW 22nd Ave., Miami, open only to seniors in urgent need. Call 305-456-5217 to ask for help
- Meals On Wheels South Florida offers free food to eligible homebound seniors. Info: 954-714-6946 or online
- Aging & Disability Resource Center assists with food delivery for seniors who self-quarantined, 954-745-9779 for information
- Pantry of Broward offers food assistance program in Broward, including home deliveries, for seniors and grandparents with legal custody of grandchildren. Information on eligibility online or 954-358-1481
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