a hand up in time of need

Hurricane Irma blew through Marion and Citrus Counties in early September, and area food banks, pantries and soup kitchens were at the ready to help those in need. Even though these agencies are ready at a moment’s notice to step up in times of emergency and are well known for helping the homeless, most people aren’t aware of the fact that these organizations are helping serve almost half of our area’s residents. Many people are struggling to make ends meet on limited wages in today’s tough economic times, and these charitable agencies are there to lend a helping hand.

According to the 2017 update of the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Restrained, Employed) report released by the United Way, 44 percent of Floridians earn less than the “Annual Household Survival Budget,” the actual cost of basic household expenses. There are 3.3 million Florida households included in this

› By Jim Gibson

group, and many are employed people who simply don’t earn enough money to pay for their family’s basic needs.

This is where local food banks, pantries and soup kitchens truly make a di erence. Many of these agencies not only provide much needed food to struggling families, some also provide assistance with utility payments, rent, clothing and gasoline.

According to Peter Del Toro, executive director of the First

Step Food Bank in Ocala, food banks store large quantities of donated food and distribute it to these local agencies for dispersal to the public.

“We are a warehouse,” he says. “We collect food from national and local donors and then distribute it to about 45 local agencies that we partner with—we also accept donations from the public. All a person has to do is drop o their donation here at our site. We deal exclusively with Marion County agencies, and distribution is to county residents. Last year, we distributed more than 2.7 million pounds of food to locals in need.”

For those who want to donate directly to local agencies, most are in need of clean, gently used clothing, food and monetary donations. For specifics on how to donate or volunteer, please call the number for each individual agency, as guidelines vary. If you need assistance, contact each agency for their particular requirements to receive aid, as they vary also. Here is a partial list of local agencies and their contact information:

Marion County

FIRST STEP FOOD BANK

4045 NE 36th Avenue, Ocala

412 NW 9th Street, Ocala (352) 732-5500

Supplies 45 local agencies.

WINGS OF FAITH FELLOWSHIP CHURCH OF GOD

5066 SE 64th Avenue Road, Ocala

(352) 687-4600

Food pantry that serves Marion County residents only. Open Wednesdays 10am to 1pm. Photo ID is required for assistance. If there is a month with five Wednesdays, the pantry is closed on the fifth Wednesday.

ST. THERESA CATHOLIC CHURCH

11528 US-301, Belleview (352) 245-2458

Food pantry and soup kitchen that serves Belleview and Summerfield residents.

SALVATION ARMY

320 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala (352) 732-8326

Food pantry that serves Marion County residents. Open from 9-11:30am and from 1-3:30pm Monday through Friday.

CENTSIBLE GROCERY

14550 SE 65 Court, Summerfield (352) 245-8774

Open 9-11am Wednesday and 1:30-3:30pm Thursday. By appointment only.

INTERFAITH EMERGENCY SERVICES

435 NW 2nd Street, Ocala (352) 629-8868

Locations for food assistance include Ocala (Monday through Friday), Reddick (Wednesday through Thursday) and Marion Oaks (Tuesday). Interfaith also supports satellite pantries in partnership with local churches at Fellowship Baptist, Pedro and First Baptist of Ft McCoy.

BROTHER’S KEEPER

2 W Fort King Street, Ocala (352) 622-3846

Food pantry and soup kitchen serving Marion County. Open from 9am to noon and 1-4pm Monday through Friday. Call for eligibility guidelines.

HIS COMPASSION, INC.

3947 North Highway 441, Ocala (352) 575-8745

Open Tuesdays and Thursdays

8:30am to noon. Emergency assistance is available every day of the week.

COMMUNITY OF GRATITUDE

13335 Co Rd 25, Ocklawaha (352) 288-3499

Open Tuesday and Saturday 10am to noon and Thursday 1-3pm

Citrus County

COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF CITRUS COUNTY

5259 W Cardinal Street, Building B, Homosassa (352) 628-3663

Supplies 50 area agencies.

CITRUS UNITED BASKET

103 Mill Avenue, Inverness (352) 344-2242

Food pantry and clothing assistance is available 9am to 3pm Monday through Friday. Utility and rent assistance is by appointment only. Citrus residents and homeless on an individual basis.

DAYSTAR LIFE CENTER OF CITRUS COUNTY

6751 W Gulf To Lake Hwy, Crystal River (352) 795-8668

Citrus County residents only. Open 9am to 2pm Monday through Friday. Please arrive by noon if you are need of clothing.

NATURE COAST MINISTRIES

999 NE 5th Street, Crystal River (352) 563-1860

Open Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 2pm. Must be low income to receive assistance.