FOOD PANTRIES & GIVEAWAYS
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church: The church in Citrus Springs serves those in need with free boxes of food from its food pantry. Please call new auto-phone system number 352-489-4858.
The Citrus County Veterans Coalition: The Citrus County Veterans Coalition Pantry hours remain every Tuesday year-round and the first and third Thursdays (except July 1 thru Sept. 1) of every month from 9 a.m. to noon. All honorably discharged veterans or their surviving spouses may collect food items once per month.
They may register any day during normal opening hours. If these hours are unacceptable, for any reason, contact Richard Floyd at the Coalition phone number, 352-400-8952. Alternate arrangements can be arranged to get you food.
The Coalition is pleased to announce that it will now serve free coffee and donuts to all veterans every Tuesday during opening hours. The Pantry is at 1039 N. Paul St. (at Independence and U.S. 41 N). You do not have to be a client of our Pantry, as the coffee and donuts are available to all veterans.
The Salvation Army: Food pantry operates Monday thru Thursday from 9-10:45 a.m. and 1-1:45 p.m. The address is 712 S. School Ave. in Lecanto. off State Road 44.
The feeding program serves hot meals to anyone who needs a meal. We serve meals at Daystar at 6751 W. Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal River, every Tuesday from 4-5 p.m. You do not need to bring anything, just come by and we will give you a meal or meals for your family.
We also serve on Wednesday from 4-5 p.m. at the Lions Club in Homosassa at 3705 S. Indiana Ave., Homosassa. All meals are free, so all you have to do is come out and let us know how many meals you need.
North Oak Church: Food and other necessary items are available on the fourth Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. at North Oak Church in Citrus Springs. Enter from North Citrus Springs Boulevard and drive through. Exit onto North Elkcam Boulevard after receiving this assistance free of charge. No church affiliation is required. North Oak Church is located at the intersection of North Elkcam and North Citrus Springs boulevards in Citrus Springs. Call 352-489-1688 for more information.
First Baptist Church Beverly Hills: Drive-thru Food Pantry on the third Saturday each month from 10 a.m. to noon. All welcome. If you are in need of emergency food supplies, you may stop at our office Monday and Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and we will have non-perishable packages available. The church is at 4950 N. Lecanto Highway, Beverly Hills, 352-746-2970.
Red Level Baptist Church: Living Bread Food Pantry at Red Level Baptist Church has a food distribution from 4-5 p.m. the second Wednesday, and from 9-10 a.m. the last Wednesday each month for anyone who is in need of food in the community. The church also has toiletries and clothing. Items will be distributed at the Red Level Baptist Church parking lot, 11025 W. Dunnellon Road, Crystal River, 1 mile off U.S. 19 on West Dunnellon Road (County Road 488). Those in need of emergency assistance at other times may call the church at 352-795-2086. Visit redlevelchurch.com.
Citrus County Family Resource Center: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (holiday hours vary), Thursdays 4-7 p.m., 3660 N. Carl G. Rose Highway, Hernando. Call 352-344-1001.
Daystar Life Center: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), 6751 W. Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal River. 352-795-8668. Food for dogs and cats may also be available. Other assistance available. A community service resource.
First Baptist Church of Homosassa Life Care Center: 9 to 10:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays for bread distribution at 10540 W. Yulee Drive, Homosassa. Homosassa residents may receive a bag of canned and dry goods once a month. Call 352-628-3858.
St. Timothy Lutheran Church and Life Tree Church: provide a food pantry from 9:30 a.m. to noon every Tuesday at Life Tree Church at 1501 SE U.S. 19, Crystal River. Call 352-403-1498.
Citrus United Basket (CUB): Citrus United Basket is closed on Monday and open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CUB is at 1201 Parkside Ave., Inverness, directly opposite the entrance to the Inverness Middle School. For information, call 352-344-2242 or go online to citrusunitedbasket.org.
First Baptist Church of Crystal River: 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 840 N. Citrus Ave. The food pantry is no longer open in the evenings. Call 352-795-3367.
The First Lutheran Church of Inverness: Food Pantry is open to all from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Call 352-726-1637.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church: The Feeding Ministry incorporates take-home Food Pantry bags for eligible clients on Fridays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. This is followed by a hot lunch for all from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saint Margaret’s Church is located at 114 N. Osceola Ave. in downtown Inverness near the courthouse. Call 352-726-3153.
Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church: 10 to 11 a.m. the third Tuesday monthly, 6 Roosevelt Blvd. Call 352-746-2144.
Suncoast Baptist Church: food pantry open for bread distribution from 7 to 9 a.m. Wednesdays, and the second Wednesday monthly is distribution of bread and vegetables from 7 to 9 a.m. at 5310 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa Springs. Open to Homosassa residents only. For information, call 352-621-3008 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday or Wednesday and ask for Clara.
Homosassa First United Methodist Church: Blessing Boxes help out with food. Available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bread of Life Food Pantry is open 8 to 11 a.m. Thursdays in fellowship hall. Call 352-628-4083.
Serving our Savior (SOS): 7:30-9:30 a.m. every Thursday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 439 E. Norvell Bryant Highway, Hernando. This is a drive-thru food pantry. Clients are allowed to come every other week. SOS is an equal opportunity provider. Email sos4food@gmail.com.
Calvary Church: 10 a.m. to noon Thursdays, 2728 E. Harley St., Inverness. Photo ID and proof of Citrus County residency are required. Visitors can receive food once per month. Calvary Church is an equal opportunity provider.
Floral City First Baptist Church: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the third Thursday monthly. Proof of residency required.
St. Thomas the Apostle Church: The St. Vincent de Paul Society food Pantry is open on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The church is on U.S. 19, approximately 1/2 mile south of the Cardinal Street intersection. The pantry provides bagged canned goods, nonperishable food items and food staples for people facing temporary hardship and living within parish boundaries. To be eligible, clients must present a photo ID. Call 352-628-3366. Emergency help with utility shut-offs, prescriptions and other emergency services are provided. Volunteers are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Rivers of Life Restoration Ministry Inc.: Operates the Seven Loaves Food and Clothing Pantry at Helping Hands Thrifty Treasures, 9699 W. Fort Island Trail, Crystal River. The free-to-all Food Pantry is now open from noon to 3 p.m. every Tuesday. Call 863-666-4129.
Calvary Chapel of Inverness: Free bagged groceries available from the food pantry from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays at 960 S. U.S. 41. 352-726-1480. Calvary Church is an equal opportunity provider.
Helping Hands Our Lady of Fatima: 604 U.S. 41 S. in Inverness offers an outreach program to help those in need, supported by their thrift store. Those who qualify are assisted with utilities every four months, prescriptions every three months, clothing every three months and food every two months.
To qualify for the outreach program, bring a current picture ID, proof of residence, Social Security cards for all household members, proof of income (pay stubs, tax forms, SSI statement, etc.), car payment and car insurance to an intake meeting.
The thrift store is accepting donations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday of slightly used clothing, household items, furniture in good shape (no mattresses), food (not outdated) and personal hygiene items.
The food pantry is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at 604 U.S. 41 S., Inverness. Call 352-726-1707. The food pantry provides nonperishable foods for people facing temporary hardship who live in Inverness, Floral City and Hernando. Emergency assistance for utility shut-offs and some prescriptions. Some restrictions apply. Photo ID with current address required.
El-Shaddai food ministries: “brown bag of food” distribution is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at Crystal River Church of God, 2180 W. 12th Ave. Although food is distributed once a week, families are only eligible for food once a month. Call 352-628-9087 or 352-302-9925.
Hernando Seventh-day Adventist Church: 1880 N. Trucks Ave., Hernando, provides food distribution for needy families from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. the second Tuesday monthly. Call 352-344-2008.
Christ Christian Bible Ministry: distributes food at 1 p.m. Wednesdays at 619 NE Second St., Crystal River. Preparations are being made to provide a hot meal once a week. Call 352-513-8065.
FREE MEALS
The Floral City Methodist Church: has free community breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m. every Tuesday in Hilton Hall, 8478 E. Marvin St. Also, free food pantry is available for those who need it. For information or to volunteer, call 352-344-1771.
First Lutheran Church of Inverness: A free hot meal is offered once a week, from 4-5 p.m. every Tuesday, for anyone in need of the service. Meals have an entrée, vegetable, piece of bread, small pastry or dessert, and when possible additional snacks. They will provide as many meals as the family needs. The church is at 1900 State Road 44 west, Inverness. There is drive-thru pickup. It will be first-come, first-served (limited amounts of meals will be available while they assess the demand). If you or someone you know is in need of a free hot meal, please come by. You can take as many meals as you need to feed your family and even pick up extras for your neighbors as well.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church: The Feed My Sheep hot lunch program at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Inverness is at 11:30 a.m. every Friday. St. Margaret’s Church is at 114 N. Osceola Ave. in downtown Inverness near the courthouse. Call 352-726-3153.
Inverness First United Methodist Church: God’s Kitchen will distribute free hot meals from 11 a.m. to noon Mondays, 1140 E. Turner Camp Road. Drive up only. Delivery is available for those who can’t drive. Call 352-726-2522, ext. 0.
Peace Lutheran Church: offers a free community meal from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. the third Monday monthly. All ages are welcome. Peace Lutheran Church (“The Church on the Hill”) is at 7201 U.S. 41 S. in Dunnellon (at the corner of U.S. 41 and State Road 40). Call 352-489-5881.
Community Centers: Free hot meals are available Monday through Friday for clients ages 60-plus at the following community centers. Call to reserve your first meal as a visitor: Central Citrus Community Center at 2804 W. Marc Knighton Court in Lecanto (352-527-5993); West Citrus Community Center at 8940 W. Veterans Drive in Homosassa (352-795-3831); East Citrus Community Center at 9907 E. Gulf-to-Lake Highway in Inverness (352-344-9666); and at the historic Hernando School on the corner of Florida Avenue and Parsons Point Road.
Calvary Chapel of Inverness: Soup kitchen from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday, at 960 S. U.S. 41. All are welcome. The meal includes soup, bread and dessert. Call 352-726-1480.
Dining and Cooking