FAQ'S
Who is Feeding South Florida?
Feeding South Florida (FSF) is a private and local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to end hunger in South Florida by providing immediate access to nutritious food, leading hunger and poverty advocacy efforts and transforming lives through innovative programming and education.
Yes! FSF is the largest food bank and provider of food assistance in each county it serves. The partner agencies FSF serves are food distribution programs such as food pantries and soup kitchens.
FSF serves Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties, serving 25 percent of the state’s food insecure population.
FSF rescues food from farmers, grocery stores, other retailers, distributors, wholesalers, ports, and other food industry sources. Kind-hearted community members also hold food drives that bring in tons of food.
In addition to direct-service programs that support individual families, FSF partners with over 300 local nonprofit agencies to ensure food reaches individuals in need of assistance.
No! No one in need of food assistance ever pays for food.
FSF also has two client services centers that provides SNAP and other benefits application assistance, in addition to two “Choice Pantries” where clients can “shop” for food in a private and dignified environment. FSF also aims to end the line through job training and job placement programs, including our Culinary Training and Warehouse Training Programs.
FSF plays a critical role in disaster preparedness and response in each county it serves. From staging evacuation centers/shelters with food and water pre-storm, to leading food and water distribution efforts post-storm, FSF is a trusted community partner with a direct seat at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Miami-Dade. As a member of the Feeding America network, FSF also responds to disasters throughout the state and country as necessary. Click here for more information.
FSF is a member of Feeding America, a nationwide network of over 200 food banks that provide food and other resources to every county in the United States. FSF is the sole Feeding America food bank serving Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties. As a network member, FSF is held to the highest standard of food safety, fundraising, governance, and other standards.
FSF is a member of Feeding Florida, the state association for Feeding America food banks. The association supports advocacy efforts and administers the Farmers Feeding Florida program.
Food Assistance
If you need immediate assistance, please call us at 954.518.1857 or e-mail clientservices@feedingsouthflorida.org for a list of partner agencies in your area. FSF’s choice pantry is available for one-time emergencies and is available monthly to those applying for SNAP. If you need assistance on Sundays, please use FSF’s online agency locator to find a partner agency near you. Click here for more information.
You can apply online for SNAP benefits. Feeding South Florida’s Client Services team can also assist. Click here to learn more.
Volunteer
Volunteers must be at least 12 years old with a chaperone who is 18 years or older. Those age 16+ do not require a chaperone. We have “Family Philanthropy Days” on the second Saturday of every month for kids age 6 and older.
Yes! Due to the high volume of volunteers each year, we cannot accept walk-ins. Registering is as easy as visiting volunteer.feedingsouthflorida.org, where you can view available opportunities and create an account.
Yes! We can accommodate small and large groups alike, up to 100 people per shift, pre-COVID and currently a maximum of 40 people per shift. Registering your group is as easy as visiting volunteer.feedingsouthflorida.org, where you can view available shifts and create an account.
Yes! Please contact volunteers@feedingsouthflorida.org or 954.518.1818 x 1824 to schedule this opportunity.
Yes, depending on the nature of the offense. Please contact volunteers@feedingsouthflorida.org or 954.518.1818 x 1824 to inquire further.
All volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes. Volunteers in open-toe shoes are unable to volunteer in our sort room and we may not have alternative work available. Purses and backpacks should be locked in your vehicle. For safety and liability reasons,cell phones and photos are not permitted in our sort area. Masks are required for the duration of the shift.
Donate Funds
It’s very simple! Click here or look for the Donate Now button on each page of our website to access our easy online giving form to contribute in a secure way.
Yes. Feeding South Florida is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
According to the formula on the IRS 990 form that Feeding South Florida submits each year, 98.2 percent of all donations are put back into the community. As one of the most efficient nonprofits and food banks in the county, we’re proud of this uncommonly high efficiency ratio.
No! FSF never shares or sells donor information. We adhere to strict privacy standards, which are detailed here.
Donate Food
FSF always needs shelf-stable, non-perishable food items such as rice, pasta, cereal, peanut butter, canned tuna or chicken, canned vegetables, canned fruit, and canned meals. Pop-top cans are preferred, as are healthier alternatives: low-fat peanut butter, low-sodium canned goods, brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat pasta, low-sugar items.
FSF can pick up food drives over 500 pounds in January-October and over 1,000 pounds in November and December. Our Community Engagement team can help identify what qualifies for pick-ups. Please first register your food drive so FSF can send a toolkit and guidelines before beginning your food drive. Click here to learn more.
Donations can be dropped off at both warehouse locations, either our main warehouse located at 2501 SW 32 Terrace, Pembroke Park, FL 33023, or at our branch location at 4925 Park Ridge Blvd., Boynton Beach, FL 33426, Monday through Friday between the preferred hours of 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Please come in through the main entrance where you will be guided to the loading dock. We will then weigh the food and provide a receipt.
We strongly advise that you call prior to dropping off food to ensure someone is on duty to receive your donation. Please do not leave food donations outside the facility.
Yes! FSF’s virtual food drive is a web-based tool that allows individuals and organizations to hold an online food drive. While we love donations in any form, our virtual food drive allows us to serve more clients, more efficiently. It’s fast, easy and fun! Get started by clicking here.
Certainly FSF needs both to help our neighbors in need of assistance. It can be helpful to consider, however, that for every $10 contributed to our mission, we can distribute $120 worth of food. That’s up to twelve times more food than you access at retail (or even wholesale club) prices if you bought it yourself and donated the food.