Counties include: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, Union. Note that these lists are not all inclusive and there are many local efforts being offered in each community.
Updates as of October 7:
Electricity has been restored in most counties, and many of the PODs and Comfort Stations have been closed. The County Emergency Managers are also unfortunately having to switch their focus to Hurricane Milton and the potential impacts to each of their communities. We encourage everyone to sign up for local alerts sent out by their county Emergency Management and monitor their EOC Facebook page for the latest updates.
Food Distributions Posted
Alachua County
• FarmShare Distribution with Project Youth Build, Friday, October 25th, 9am – 11am, 635 NW 6th Street, Gainesville
Hamilton County
• Food Distribution, October 10, 9am – 10:30am, while supplies last
◦ Catholic Charities Lake City will provide a Food Distribution, JRE Lee Community Complex, 4280 SW CR 152, Jasper, FL
Union County
• FarmShare Food Distribution, Saturday, October 12, 8am – 8:30 am, 155 NW 3rd Street, Lake Butler, FL
Temporary services are available for those impacted by Hurricane Helene, such as the State Non-Congregate Sheltering Program. This is a short-term (6 months) program with a focus on transition disaster survivors into longer-term housing. You may be eligiblie if, your primary residence is located within one of the 23 FEMA designated counties, you have a valid FEMA registration number, you are a homeowner or renter, your home sustained major damage from Hurricane Helene and is not habitable, and you are not already receiving housing assistance from FEMA. To apply, complete the Assistance Request form on the Activate Hope
Hurricane Helene Recovery – Hope Florida or call 833-438-4673 (available 24/7).
Below are some hot meal options in some of our communities. Please confirm with the site on their serving hours and times before traveling to the location.
October 1
Hot Meal Locations/Dates:
Columbia County
Tuesday, October 1st
•Lake City- Christ Central Church will give out hot dinners to go on Tuesday, October 1st at 6:30 pm , SW DYAL Ave, Lake City.
◦Site will give up to 8 meals per car until they run out.
Hamilton County
•Burnham Christian Church- Hot meals offered at 6pm until gone. 4520 NW CR 146, Jennings, FL. Call 386-938-1265 or watch their facebook page to confirm continued service after Tuesday, Oct 1st meal .
•Corinth Baptist Church, 7042 SW 41st Ave, Jasper, FL. 9/30 and 10/1. Call 386-938-4752 to confirm if further meals being offered after Oct 1st.
•Hot Meals being offered at the gate entrance to Stephen Foster State Park North Gate located on 25A, White Springs at 6pm on October 1st (Tuesday).
Lafayette County
Wednesday, October 2
•Catholic Charities Lake City will be providing hot BBQ meals in Lafayette County on Wednesday, October 2nd at
◦Day Community Center, 4673 N CR 53, Mayo, FL from 12:30pm – 1:30 pm
◦Journey Church, 796 W Main Street, Mayo, FL from 2pm – 3pm
◦Hatchbend Volunteer Fire Dept, 898 SE Earl Blvd, Branford from 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Levy County
•Chiefland- Thursday, October 3rd starting at 11am- April’s Fruit Stand. Free 32 oz cup of warm chili and a lemonade until it is gone. 1923 North Young Blvd.
•Cedar Key- First Baptist Church, 717 2nd St, Cedar Key has been offering lunch and dinner meals to residents of the island, as available. Meals being offered are shared on the First Baptist Church Cedar Key Facebook page.
•Inglis- Lunch 1pm, Dinner 6pm, Inglis Community Center, 137 Hwy 40, Inglis, until further notice (check the EOC Facebook page).
Madison County
These locations were offering meals on 9/30/24 but appear to be continuing. Call the location to confirm the continued days/times.
•Madison- Madison County Church of God offering meals at 1pm and 6pm, 771 NE Colin Kelly Hwy, Madison
•Lee City Hall, 286 County Road 255, Lee, FL offering meals at 1pm and 6pm
•159 Broad Ave, Greenville, FL, Meals offered at 1pm and 6pm
Dinner Only starting at 4:30pm
•St Johns Baptist Church, 5390 NW Lovette Rd, Lovette, FL
•New Home Baptist Church, 1100 SW Moseley Hall Road, Madison, FL
•Pinetta Fire and Rescue, 509 Persimmon Dr, Pinetta, FL (this site also has water, household supplies, and tarps)
Taylor County
•Crosspoint Baptist Church- 0ffers lunch daily this week at 11am, 920 N Courtney Rd, Perry, FL, 850-584-5441
•Operation BBQ, Walmart Parking Lot, 1900 S Jefferson, St, Perry, FL at Noon (while supplies last)
•Operation BBQ, 1310 1st Ave, Steinhatchee, FL 32359
Thank you to Cheryl Twombly of Florida Department of Children and Families for providing this information.
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