‘Tis the season for giving — whether it be your time, money, or resources — and, in this instance, consider all three to help fellow Lakelanders in need by donating and or volunteering at a local food pantry.
In Lakeland alone, there are nearly ten pantries to choose from, spanning all corners of town. Check out the following four, to see if this form of volunteering is for you.
Lighthouse Ministries’ Hope Center, 3111 US Hwy 98 S.Ste. 130 | Located at each Lighthouse Ministries’ Thrift Store (Plant City, Brandon, Winter Haven, and Lakeland) is a Hope Center — a section of the ministry dedicated to serving those in need across Central Florida. Here, you can donate a myriad of items including food, clothing, household items, toys, and furniture.
Polk Mega Pantry, Locations vary | Donate your time to one of Feeding Tampa Bay’s mega pantries. These mobile food pantries occur regularly (one is today from 3:30-6 p.m.) and are always in need of volunteers to help pack and distribute meals. Sign-up here for specifics on location.
Healthy Food Pantry, Locations vary | Whether you’re in Lakeland, Bartow, or anywhere else in Polk County, United Way of Central Florida has a food pantry for you. In Lakeland, you can find a Healthy Food Pantry at Blessings & Hope, Lakeland Volunteers In Medicine, and Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church.
Shepherd Road Presbyterian Church, 1217 Shepherd Rd. | You can donate food items to SRPC for their weekly food pantry, which takes place every Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. The pantry operates on a first-come, first-served basis and will remain open until 11 a.m., as long as food is still on the shelves.
Curious what other food pantries are available? Click here for more.
