Food ServicesConnect is a referral service. It helps expectant parents and families with young children. The goal is to improve birth outcomes and child development. They do this by offering a wide range of programs. Please call 352.313.6500 or go to the website to learn more.
Programs include:
This group has a direct aid program. It is meant to help patients who need financial assistance. There are eligibility requirements that must be met for a patient to qualify. Please call or visit the website for more information.
Toll Free: 800.927.9659
Grant Assistance includes:
Food pantry is open on the first and third Mondays of each month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Emergencies are by appointment only. Free lunch for anyone 60 and older and caregivers of a client on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday. Doors open at 10 a.m. with lunch served at 11:30 a.m. We close at 1 p.m.
Food & clothing for residents of Summerfield, Belleview, Ocklawaha and Weirsdale. Requirements: Applicants need current photo ID. Food drives are around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The Fitness and Nutrition in Schools (FANS) program takes a fun, hands-on approach to prevent chronic diseases for the children in our school system. Through increased physical fitness opportunities, improved nutrition, and healthy lifestyle education, this program helps local children learn how to make healthy choices throughout their lives.
By increasing PE engagement, campaigning for healthier snacking, and even introducing school gardens, this program is helping kids learn the importance of taking care of their bodies and reducing county obesity rates.
Currently distributing food thru drive thru service. We serve on Saturdays beginning at 8am till we run out of food generally around 11am. Call for more information.
This group can help with home and community-based care. Counselors can help clients understand the options that may be available. This help is a single-entry point to access a variety of programs. Please call or visit the website for more information.
Services Can Include:
Food 4 Kids is a “backpack program” for hungry children in Marion County. Guidance counselors at the schools provide each child’s name to them, including the number of siblings in the household. Volunteers pack durable, rolling backpacks full of food for each household. The volunteer delivers the backpacks directly to the school, tagged for each child. The child takes the backpack home on Friday afternoon and returns them to school on Monday morning. Then, the volunteers pick up the backpacks at the school and the process starts all over again.
Backpacks include:
Call for more information.
After completing the intake process, food is given to those in need. The amount is appropriate for their family and situation by the food pantry located in the warehouse. Interfaith uses the National Poverty Level as a guideline for those qualifying for assistance. This will determine their eligibility. Hygiene items, which are not covered by food stamps, are also given out. Those items are given to clients in the same manner as the food services. Clothes are given to those in need as well. Call for more information.
Living Waters Worship Center provides Operation Compassion. It is a ministry reaching out to those who are in need of help with food. Call for more information.
