Food Pantries in Tallahassee Florida - Call 211 for Updates

My mom once worked for United Way as a graphic designer. I had no idea I'd ever need to utilize their services until the past year. I've leaned on 211 throughout the United States, as a result of the need to be in multiple states due to all that's happened.... 

I met the CEO, Berneice, and one of her teammates, Rhonda, at the Tallahassee United Way location off of 7th Avenue. They immediately helped that day. Thank you for the time, helpful resources, and gift card to Publix. 

In addition, calling into 211 also provides substantial assistance to shelters, food pantries, clothing or other household item donations, hygience donations, and other types of financial assistance.

As a mom who has experienced a major crisis (non-suic.) and has experienced extraordinary circumstances against our family, I have needed to rely on donations, cash and credit card, online donations through Bizresearch.com, gift cards to Publix.com or Ralphs. or Walmart, or Target, Panera, etc., to manage food requirements, or gas requirements for the car. I have asked for and received assistance with automotive maintenance and supplies. Publix employee, Gianni, of Tallahassee, immediately helped me with purchase of Coolant for my car. I asked for a discount, based on cash available, and he went one step further, he bought the entire container for me and helped me research what was needed for my car. Thanks, Gianni. 

I spent some time this Saturday morning, on more 211 resources. Food pantries are almost impossible to visit, or receive help from on the weekends. Most of these food pantries operate on a weekly, or every other week, or once a month concept. For someone experiencing a crisis, in need of help, and in need of being in multiple states for multiple reasons, since FT salary was removed on April 29, 2024 by a large beverage company, I've had to do the best I could to offset that financial impact. Too young for social security, I've applied for temporary disability due to grief, sadness, related to what has happened to our family in the past several years, possibly going back to 2004 or before. Not all facts are publicly known. IOT has helped me to learn of these details, along with research, timeline, digital forensics, but sadly, not many or if at all very few, have given facts in ways I understand 100% of the time, or caqn verify in a court or police office, or receive that help. I do need that too. That means that I have to work on this 18 hours a day, most every day of the year. And I still feel like I'm failing multiple children or adults in this situation. 

For the helpers: thank you. I  hesitate to name all of you right  now. but thank you........

For those who have yet to help: see below - then generate however, wherever you can. 

What is Still Needed in Tallahassee, and in your local town:

1. Food pantry kiosks wherever possible. Yesterday, I noticed a food pantry made out of a newspaper stand. It was in a medical facility. Someone painted it, and filled it with pasta, spaghetti sauce, pouches of chicken, and other canned items. This is a similar concept to the Take A Book, Give a Book reader kiosks or little libraries in neighborhoods. I'd love to see this wherever I go. Suggestions: items that do not require cooking, nut free protein, and items that can handle outdoor climate. Make sure expiration dates are easy to read. Canned fruits, canned protein, canned pasta or protein drinks that can handle heat if outdoors. Otherwise, just do items that won't be affected in any way by heat. Anyone can contribute. This is also a good idea for churches.
2. Churches and food pantries - I spoke with one church last week who said they used to have a food pantry, but the health care agency had made it too difficult to maintain due to limited budget. Perhaps the local healthcare agency can comment below on what's needed to be compliant, and or what foods are easiest to donate. Think of this for car-campers, or walkup resources.
3. What to put in the food pantry: Beans, rice, pasta area great if you have housing, but if a series of crises that affect lives including displacement, finances, health, etc, crisis occurs, car camping or walkups may be required. It takes being displaced even for one week, as a personal test, to understand the challenges of displacement. This doesn't mean homelessness necessarily. It could mean that a teenager is placed in someone else's home, and is unfamiliar or uncomfortable with asking for help. Snack foods, and some fun foods are nice to have, but protein, vegetables and water is always needed. Granola bars (nut-free please) are always helpful.
4. Drive thru food pantry resources are great to offer, milk, eggs, fresh produce, and even some cold beverages like water, protein drinks, soda water etc. I've seen one of the best so far in Laguna Food Pantry, as far as offering so many options, with compassion, dignity and kindness. They even offer fresh bread, flowers, new brand drinks, healthy salads. 
5. Second Food Harvest just opened in Tallahassee. I missed the grand opening, but it's good to know that a reputable organization like Second Harvest is ready to serve churches, the community and non profits help feed those in need. 
6. There are some other areas still needed: O-Reilly Gift cards, Toyota dealership giftcards, Chevrolet dealership giftcards, and perhaps another sponsor will step in and contribute to our fiscal sponsorship grant request. Moms, independently living teens and young adults, and families need access to maintaining their cars. Car camping may be the only option for some people due to barriers to getting rapid rehousing despite approval. Cars will need more gas, more maintenance, but consider it similar to the boating lifetstyle. We simply need resources for car-camping. If you donate towards O-Reilly, that will really help. We also need help with the Toyota and Chevrolet requirements.
7. Gas donations have been amazing across this country. All we need is for a fiscal sponsor to help with the IRS filing fee of $600 + admin requirements and we're able to make donations tax-deductible retroactively.

Tallahassee Food Pantries: 

1. Holy Comforter Episcopal Church has a drive thru food pantry located behind the church office. Take the side access road on Saturday morning, back to the location. It's located on Fleischman Road. Here's more info. 

   (850) 877-2712

   EMAIL

    

   admin@hc-ec.org

2. Immanuel Baptist Church on Mahan Drive in Tallahassee offers some food resources. Talk with the pastor's team about what's available after church on Sundays or email ahead of time. Send in a prayer request and ask for something specific. Asking for help is crucial. Let people know what you need. 
   
   
3. Faith Presbyterian Church (open Monday through Thursday 8:30 - 4:30) has a food pantry. Call 850-385-6151. 
   
   
4. Good Samaritan Network, food pantry, thrift store. They have a Benevolence Fund if you need a special request fulfilled. Open during the week. 2107 N. Monroe Street across from Sonny's. 850-271-1113. Visit during 10:30-12:30, or call for updated hours. 
   
   
5. Oasis Center for Women and Children - Call 850-222-2747. 
   
   
6. Echo Emergency Services has non perishable goods, hygiene products and some baby products. They're open from 9am to 12 noon. You can call them on Monday, at 850-224-3246. If they comment below, about the current schedule or items or needs, wish list, etc, that  is helpful to all involved. 
   
   
7. Assurance Wireless can offer free Android phones and service. Call 888-321-5880. 
8. Salvation Army can be reached at 850-222-0304. 
9. Elder Services at 2518 W. Tennessee has 8-5 Monday through Friday assistance.