Helping Hands in the Community | December 2024

Whether you need a hand or want to lend a hand here's a place to start.

November 25, 2024 michele525 ABOVE THE FOLD, CALENDARS | ARCHIVES, COMMUNITY SERVICES, COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT, Health 0
Check out the local service organizations helping those in need

December 2024

Whether you are someone in need of a helping hand, want to direct someone else in need or perhaps find a place to volunteer or steer your financial donations in a way that will assist the surrounding community, here’s a place to start.

Check out the quick search below or scroll down. And if you know about or have a non-profit that is doing the good work, please let me know so it can be included here. Send info to Michele Miller at mmiller@whatswhatnewportrichey.com

QUICK SEARCH

DECEMBER EVENTS | FUNDRAISERS
FOOD RESOURCES
DELIVERY SERVICES FOR SENIORS & SHUT-INS
HEALTH RESOURCES
HOUSING | UTILITIES

DECEMBER EVENTS | FUNDRAISERS

Register for Holiday Help with Metropolitan Ministries

Register to receive holiday food, a frozen ham or turkey, fresh produce, and gifts for children ages 0-17 When registering, choose the location nearest to you. For information access the Metropolitan Ministries website here.

World AIDS Day Screenings

30th Annual Food Giveaway

Friday, December 13, 2024 9 am- 11 am at Faith Baptist Church, 9230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey. First come, first served. No food will be given away before 9 AM.

United Way Breakfast With Santa Fundraiser

Join United Way of Pasco County for a jolly morning on December 14 at the Rotary Concourse Pavilion (11919 Alric Pottberg Rd Shady Hills, FL) where families can enjoy a delicious breakfast with the man in red himself! There will be a delicious breakfast spread, Local High School Student Carolers, Charicature Artist, Crafts and Games for the kids, & Storytelling from Santa’s Elves.

Proceeds will support local families in need across Pasco County, helping provide critical services through our community programs. For tickets and more info, visit unitedwaypasco.org.

GENERAL HELP | WHERE TO START

United Way Need Help? Call 2-11

Pasco County residents have a free, easy-to-use service at their fingertips to help them get connected to information about services in the community. Visit www.unitedwaypasco.org

  • 2-1-1 provides a fast, easy way to learn about community resources and service providers, and volunteer and donation opportunities.
  • 2-1-1 connects people with Free Medical Care, Senior Services, State Agencies, Utility Assistance, Transportation, Youth Programs, Child Care, Affordable Housing, Free Tax Return Preparation, Health Resources, Rx Assistance, Rental Assistance, Support Groups, Non-profit Groups, Human Trafficking Case Management
  • 2-1-1 specialists are highly-trained, multi-lingual professionals who provide the information you need. All 2-1-1 contacts are strictly confidential. 2-1-1 is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Homeless Coalition of Pasco County

The Homeless Coalition of Pasco County has compiled a lengthy list of local organizations serving those in need throughout Pasco County. Visit www.pascohomelesscoalition.org

Metropolitan Ministries

Offers comprehensive services for at-risk and homeless families in under-served and impoverished communities.

  • Metropolitan Ministries, 3214 US HWY 19 N. in Holiday. The Family Support Center is open for food and clothing in Pasco Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Go to the website at metromin.org
  • Metropolitan Ministries at Restored Hope – 13703 17th Street, Dade City. 352.437.4815. Website. Click here for more locations.

One Community Now

 Provides the following services at the Main Street Office located at 5841 Main Street, NPR. Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 am – 2 pm doors open to the public, 2 – 4 p.m; by appointment only. 727-849-4724 

  • Referrals are being accepted for TBRA – Seniors struggling to pay their rent in Pasco County, with income under 60% AMI.
  • Financial assistance for those impacted by Hurricane Helene and Milton (Rent, Utilities, Food)
  • Financial assistance for renters with an eviction notice and AMI below 30% AMI 
  • Employment assistance, resumes, coaching, work clothing
  • Birth certificates, state ID, use of a computer, copier, WI-FI and phone 
  • Free Notary services

Be a Light Mission Service Center Inc.’s The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse is located at 8425 Arcola Avenue in Hudson off US 19 and Arcola (21 bus line). Open Monday through Friday from 10 am – 3 pm.Offerings include free food and clothing pantry, medical assessments (through BayCare, VARK Inc), employment assistance, work programs, Resources for the homeless, Arts and crafts classes, and activities. For info, go to www.bealightmissions.org

Local Library Resources

It’s not about the books at local libraries. The New Port Richey Public Library and branches of Pasco County Libraries offer several valuable resources.

Among them, are Medicare presentations, ESOL classes, Career Help, and information sessions on volunteer opportunities with Guardian Ad Litem and a local hospice for those who want to volunteer. Ease your mind and body with meditation, yoga, or Tai Chi class, or learn about healthy nutrition.

FOOD RESOURCES

For a quick way to access food resources in your zip code visit freefood.org.

Food Distribution Sites

WEST PASCO

  • Feeding Tampa Bay
    • Pasco YMCA Trinity | from 12 to 2 p.m. Monday, December 2 and 16 at 8411 Photonics Dr. New Port Richey.
    • Pasco | Gulfview Grace Church, from 8 to 10:30 a.m Fridays, December 6, 13, 20, 27 at Gulfview Grace Church, 6639 Hammock Road, Port Richey.
    • Pasco King of Kings | from 3-4:30 p.m. Thursday, December 12 at 10337 US-19, Port Richey
  • First Baptist Church of Hudson Agape 5-2 Food Pantry, 7009 Hudson Ave., Hudson. Free Sunday meal. Open every Wednesday from 10 am – 12 noon for anyone in need. Bring ID for everyone you are receiving food for. Visit www.fbchudson.org
  • Hopeville Family Ministries. 6508 Main St., New Port Richey. Food distribution from 8 a.m. to 12 noon each Saturday. For information, service requests, or to volunteer, go to hfm2019.org or call (727) 992-5087.
  • Metropolitan Ministries, 3214 US HWY 19 N. in Holiday. The Family Support Center is open for food and clothing on various days. For information visit www.metromin.org
  • The Volunteer Way 8061 Congress St., New Port Richey. The Food Pantry is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 12 noon. Brown Bag delivery is available. Visit thevolunteerway.org.
  • First United Methodist Church of New Port Richey: Food Ministries at 5901 Indiana Avenue, New Port Richey. For info, visit fumcnpr.com.
  • Gulfside Hub Grocery Boxes, Weekly grocery box distribution is held from 4-4:30 most Tuesdays at Gulfside Elementary School, 2329 Anclote Boulevard. If you have not registered on Feeding Tampa Bay yet, please click on this link feedingtampabay.link2feed.com. Pickup is at Gulfside Elementary School car loop, 2329 Anclote Blvd, Holiday, every Tuesday, from 4 to 4:30 pm. Call 727-774-6050 or text 727-351-2367.
  • Sword & Spoon VFW Hall, 4619 Bartlett Road, Holiday. Pantry 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
  • SVDP at Our Lady Queen of Peace, 5340 High St., New Port Richey. Pantry 12-2 p.m. on Thursday and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday.
  • SVDP at St. Peter the Apostle, 12747 Interlaken Road, New Port Richey. Pantry 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Monday & Wednesday.
  • Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5443 Sunset Road, New Port Richey. Pantry, 9-11:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday & Friday.
  • SVDP at Thomas Aquinas Church, 8320 Old County Road 54, New Port Richey. Pantry – 9:30-11 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Monday and Thursdays.
  • Osceola Food Pantry, 11441 Osceola Drive, New Port Richey. Pantr – 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Thursdays.
  • Seventh Day Adventist Church Pantry, Trouble Creek Road, New Port Richey. Pantry – 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays.
  • King of Kings Lutheran Church, 10337 US 19, Port Richey. Pantry – 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays.
  • Volunteer Way, 8061 Congress St., Port Richey. Pantry – 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Monday-Friday.
  • The Volunteer Way Soup Kitchen, 10008 Moon Lake Road, New Port Richey, serves To-Go Meals from 10 a.m. – 12 noon, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
  • SVDP at St. James, 8400 Monarch Drive, Port Richey. Pantry- 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday.

CENTRAL AND EAST PASCO

  • Father and Son Free Love Pantry, 21418 Carson Dr., Land O’Lakes. Free groceries for anyone in need from the community. For hours of operation and more info, check out the website or Facebook page
  • Metropolitan Ministries East Pasco: Food Pantry located at 13703 13th Street, Dade City.
  • UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension Pasco County Food Bank, One Stop Shop, 15029 14th Street, Dade City.

FOOD AND PET FOOD DELIVERY FOR SENIORS/SHUT-INS

Cindy’s Pets – Provides food and some supplies for pets of seniors on the Pasco County Meals and Wheels Program. For more info, click here.

  • Meals on Wheels Pasco – Provides nutritious meals and quality services for the homebound and elderly of our community while promoting independent living with safety and dignity. Likewise, advancing human services increases opportunities for personal and collective growth in our community. For information about the program or to sign up or volunteer, visit www.mealsonwheelspasco.org
  • Volunteer Way Brown Bag Program – The Brown Bag Program provides food monthly for seniors who are low-income, disabled, and homebound as well as their pets. The food is delivered by volunteers once a month. If you or someone you know is a homebound, disabled senior in need of food, call to apply at 727-815-0433 or visit thevolunteerway.org/brown-bag-for-seniors.

MORE RESOURCES | WAYS TO HELP

  • Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger – Connects to multiple services in the greater Tampa Bay area. For those needing help or wanting to find a place to volunteer, Click here to access the Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger Website.
  • Waste No Food Tampa Bay was created in partnership with Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger. The Waste No Food app was created to help divert food surplus from the waste stream by redistributing excess usable food to nonprofits and/or food scraps to those with the ability to compost. To learn more about the free app and how you can become a Waste No Food donor or recipient visit https://networktoendhunger.org/wnf/

HEALTH SERVICES

Call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

  • Text or call 988 to reach trained counselors who can provide help in coping with a mental health emergency and offer direction for resources for mental health and substance use treatment. Visit 988lifeline.org
  • NAMI of Pasco County – NAMI Pasco, an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that provides free support, advocacy, outreach, and education to those with mental health conditions and their loved ones. Go to the NAMI website at namipasco.org.
  • Florida Health Department Coordinated Opioid Recovery Program – CORe is the first of its kind in the United States and places Florida as a leader in sustainable addiction and opioid recovery. Visit pasco.floridahealth.gov/CoordinatedOpioidRecovery
  • Crooked Taile to Recovery – Provides assessment and coordinates with community resources for medical and mental health needs, employment issues, benefit status, and options for social services, housing, and support. Also provides Peer Support Counseling and creates an environment of respect, trust, community, and accountability. Located at 7730A Little Rd, New Port Richey FL 34654 and call (727) 877-6800.
  • Florida Department of Health, Pasco. Multiple Locations. Services include services in family health (including vaccines, early breast and cervical cancer, early detection, dental, family planning, etc), infectious diseases, environmental health, community health promotion, emergency preparedness, etc). For more information or to access a site near you go to pasco.floridahealth.gov.
  • The Pasco State Attorney Mobile Medical Clinic is a medical office on wheels. The full-time staff includes a director, nurse practitioner, and driver. The clinic often has community volunteers, doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals to assist.  The Clinic travels to more than a dozen locations throughout Pasco County serving the homeless and residents without insurance. Services include:
    • Employment physicals, with some exceptions 
    • School and Sports physicals 
      Laboratory services, limited 
    • Pregnancy testing 
    • Hepatitis B vaccines see schedule (PDF)
    •  HIV/HEP C testing, see schedule (PDF) 
    • Some prescription assistance. No drugs are kept on board the unit.
       Treatment for a brief illness. 
    • Strep throat and flu are examples. 
    • Treatment for long-term illnesses. High blood pressure and diabetes are examples.
      Limited referrals are offered and can include:
      • Dental services
      • Mental Health and Substance abuse
      • Primary and Specialty care
  • Advent Health Mobile Mammography Bus. This Mobile Mammography Bus uses a Hologic 3D mammogram system, so you can get your annual screening mammogram close to where you live or work. AdventHealth Mobile Mammography bills most major insurance directly as a preventive, or well-woman, visit that is typically covered at 100% if you meet the age and time frame eligibility. For the uninsured, a self-pay option is available for the 3D mammogram. Women 40 and older do not need a prescription or referral. Women ages 35-39 are required to have a prescription from their doctor. To Register, visit AdventHealthMobileMammography.com
  • Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation manages Florida’s new Children’s Hearing Aid Program that provides assistance in obtaining hearing aids and other hearing technologies for children 0 to 18 residing in Florida who do not have private insurance or have insurance that does not cover hearing technologies. Families must be under 400% of the federal poverty guidelines and the child must have their hearing device fit by an audiologist licensed in Florida that has an active agreement with Sertoma. You can get a complete list of providers by calling Sertoma at 727-312-3881. Applications are now open for this program and available online. To see if you qualify for the program and to get complete information, visit www.familyhearinghelp.org/CHAP or call 727-312-3881.

HOUSING

  • Mid Florida Community Services, Inc., 5705 Gulf Drive in New Port Richey.  Clients receive assistance from select Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. (MFCS), programs such as Community Services programs, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program at both MFCS locations in Pasco County. Individuals seeking assistance may schedule appointments online and via phone. Click here for the online scheduling tool. Appointments can be scheduled via phone by calling 352-251-2313. For more info, call-(Dade City) (352) 567-0533 | (New Port Richey:) (727) 857-5495.
  • The Homeless Coalition of Pasco County has compiled a lengthy list of local organizations serving those in need throughout Pasco County. Visit www.pascohomelesscoalition.org
  • Owner Occupied Rehab Program Pasco County Community Development administers a program that provides repairs to an owner-occupied home. The programs are available county-wide. Single-family homes, villas, condominiums, and townhomes are eligible. Mobile homes are only eligible if the land is owned, and the home was built after 1994. The home must be Homesteaded, and the Home value cannot exceed $275,000 which can be found on PascoPA.com.

VETERANS ASSISTANCE

  • One Community Now – Benefits assistance, community sources, food, showers, and other services are available from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tuesdays at the One Community Now Veterans Support Center, 4620 Professional Loop, New Port Richey.
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