Free food & diaper distributions & other resources

ByPatti Roth
13 Comments

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.

Eligibility requirements vary among different organizations. Some are open to everyone. 

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

Diaper Distributions 

Fort Lauderdale Diaper Bank offers diaper distributions. Register online. 

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

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.

211

Dial 2-1-1 for information and referrals for food distributions  in your region, including greater Palm Beach, Broward and Dade

Food pantries lists

Food pantries in Florida by town 

Programs for older adults

  • Area Agency on Aging website includes information on food assistance programs for seniors in Broward, 954-745-9779
  • apply online for breakfasts and lunches for eligible Broward seniors 

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.

  • TGI Fridays restaurants offer Kids Eat Free deals for patrons dining in the restaurant 
    • free kids meal with purchase of adult entree Tuesdays November and December for patrons   

Catalyst Miami

Catalyst Miami has a comprehensive list for food resources in Miami-Dade County. Click here for information.

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.

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

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.

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

To keep up with latest news, sign up for the daily Miami on the Cheap newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Food Distribution

Sign up for the South Florida on the Cheap newsletter. Follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Restaurant deals

 

More Food & Drink

13 Comments

  1. We are self quarantined due to older age and disabilities in Boca Raton. We are having difficulty getting food. Is there help out there? Phyllis

  3. What if you are on Miami Beach and do not have a car? We were turned away at Feeding America yesterday, while people in Cadillac Escalades were getting food. I am not a senior.

  4. I don't know how it works if you don't have a car. Perhaps you can find one that will bring them to your house. Perhaps you can call 211, they may be able to help you find one that will bring it to your house.

  5. Hello,

    Can you advise how I can add an organization to this list?

    Thank you,
    Yanira Lewis
    Admin -Three Virtues Organization, Inc

  8. Hi,
    Can you advise how an organization’s food distribution can be added to this list?
    Thank you,
    Y

  10. Hi, Carol. Thank you for writing to us. We are always on the lookout for pet food distribution events, though there haven't been in a while. You might want to check through ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Miami. The service is part of the ASPCA’s Relief and Recovery Initiative offering free dog and cat food to people who qualify. Distribution is by appointment only. Call 800-738-9437 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Here's more information: https://miamionthecheap.com/aspca-offering-free-pet-food-for-miami-dade-residents/

  11. most of these are in Miami. Does no one think people in Palm Beach County go without food too? If we had money for gas to get to Miami, we would be able to just go to a grocery. Its all very unfair.

  12. Dial 2-1-1 for information about food distributions in your region

    Thank you

  13. Here is a contact for food pantries in PBC:
    Feeding Palm Beach County
    4925 Park Ridge Blvd
    Boynton Beach, FL 33426
    561.331.5441

Comments are closed.