ORLANDO, Fla. — The government shutdown has prompted uncertainty for many people for rely on help for their food budgets. President Donald Trump said the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will not be funded until the government shutdown ends.
This contradicts a statement earlier this week in which the government said it will partially fund SNAP this month.
This follows a court ruling that the federal government must use an emergency fund to pay for SNAP food aid payments during the government shutdown.
Many people may still need extra help, as more than 500,000 people in Central Florida receive SNAP benefits, and the funding issues has left many scrambling for alternatives to feed their families.
There are numerous food pantries and food drives throughout the region that may be able to help. Some church also operate food pantries. Search your area online to find nearby options.
Here are a few food pantries in the region.
Orange County
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida - 411 Mercy Dr, Orlando, FL 32805
- United Against Poverty - 150 W Michigan St, Orlando, FL 32806
- United Against Poverty - 150 W Michigan St, Orlando, FL 32806
- Apostolic Church Of Jesus Orlando West - 6101 Denson Dr, Orlando, FL 32808
Seminole County
- The Sharing Center - 600 N US Hwy 17 92 Suite 130, Longwood, FL 32750
- Harvest Time International Inc. - 225 Harvest Time Dr, Sanford, FL 32771
- Feed The Need Central Florida Food Pantry - 400 W Airport Blvd #5489, Sanford, FL 32773
- Harvest of Hope Food Pantry - 1890 W State Rd 434, Longwood, FL 32750
Volusia County
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida - 320 North St, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
- Jerry Doliner Food Bank - 470 Andalusia Ave, Ormond Beach, FL 32174
- Halifax Urban Ministries Food Pantry - 524 N Dixie Fwy, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
- Gifts of Love 820 W Park Ave, Edgewater, FL 32132
Lake County
- Lake Cares Food Pantry - 1128 E Clifford Ave, Eustis, FL 32726
- Well of Hope Food Bank - 16605 Sunrise Lakes Blvd, Clermont, FL 34714
- Leesburg Food Bank Inc. - 503 N 13th St, Leesburg, FL 34748
- Christian Food Pantry - 103 E Lady Lake Blvd, Lady Lake, FL 32159
Osceola County
- Osceola Council on Aging - 700 Generation Point STE B, Kissimmee, FL 34744
- Anointed Victorious Outreach Services - 1901 S Poinciana Blvd #102, Kissimmee, FL 34758
- Osceola Council on Aging - 700 Generation Point, Kissimmee, FL 34744
- The Rock Church - 5515 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Brevard County
- House of Hope - 330 Magnolia Ave, Merritt Island, FL 32952
- Food Pantry Merritt Island Baptist Church - 345 Magnolia Ave, Merritt Island, FL 32952
- Daily Bread Food Bank and Warehouse - 1408 Morningside Dr, Melbourne, FL 32901
- The Salvation Army North Central Brevard Food Pantry - 919 Peachtree St, Cocoa, FL 32922
Sumter County
- Wildwood Food Pantry - 300 Mason St, Wildwood, FL 34785
- SVdP Our Mother of Mercy Food Pantry - 201 Barwick St, Wildwood, FL 34785
Marion County
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida - 4045 NE 36th Ave, Ocala, FL 34479
- HIS Compassion Food Bank - 2000 NE 78th St, Ocala, FL 34479
Many local organizations are stepping up to lend a helping hand through food drives and other resources. Here are a few:
Orlando
- Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith is hosting a food pantry donation drive. His office is collecting collecting nonperishable food, toiletries and diapers at his district office at 508 N Mills Ave.
- Orlando airports - MCO and ORL are collecting donations for federal employees affected by the shutdown from Nov. 3-7. They are collecting nonperishable food items, cleaning and laundry supplies, pet supplies, and $10 gas and grocery gift cards. Dropoff locations: MCO terminal C departures curb from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Drop-offs also accepted at the information booths in terminals A, B and C. Orlando Executive Airport at 365 Rickenbacker Dr. from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Marris Orthodontics announced a food drive from Nov. 3-Dec. 18. Nonperishable food donations can be dropped off at the office located at 12780 Waterford Lakes Parkway Suite 130 in Orlando.
- Food donations are being accepted at Colonial High School at 6100 Oleander Dr. You can drop items off at the main campus’s front desk. They ask that you label the box or bag you are dropping off.
- Grace Counseling is collecting nonperishable food items from Nov. 8-16 at 2200 Pembrook Dr. between the hours of 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Donations will be delivered directly to the Sharing Center.
Winter Springs
- The Winter Springs Police Department is collecting nonperishable food donations. You can drop off donations at the police department lobby located at 300 N. Moss Rd.
Volusia County
- The sheriff’s office will host a food drive from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Donations will be collected at the Sunoco Injector off NASCAR Drive at Daytona International Speedway. Food distribution will be at the same place Sunday. Recipients must bring their SNAP card and government-issued ID.
Numerous other food drives are being initiated across Central Florida. Check your local groups on social media to find those closest to you.
SNAP COVERAGE
- Trump posts no SNAP payments until government reopens
- Central Floridians hope to get their SNAP benefits replenished soon
- Sheriff’s office aims to help Volusia residents amid SNAP shortage
- SNAP to be partially paid, administration says
- Central Florida residents react as SNAP benefits are set to run out
- Government shutdown impacts SNAP benefits for Central Florida families
- Instacart, DoorDash, Gopuff among companies offering discounts to SNAP recipients
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