When times get tough, South Florida shows up for its own. With the recent government shutdown impacting families across our region, Hy-Lo News has rounded up a list of local resources to help residents in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties get support.
Whether you need help with food, housing, health care, or mental health, these local organizations and community partners are stepping up to serve.
🥫 Food Assistance
Miami-Dade County
November 6–9 – Councilman Reggie Leon & Sunday’s Eatery to provide free meals to Federal Government Employees: Instagram Link
November 8 – Smile Haven Community Garden, Brownsville, 9 AM – 1 PM: Instagram Link
November 12 – United Way Broward Distribution (Open to public 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM) 1300 S Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316: Details Here
November 13 – Be Strong Int. Food Distribution, Demps Park, 9 AM until supplies last: Instagram Link
November 15 – Lotus House Community Distribution, 11:30 AM – 1 PM
1453 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33136
November 19 – Anthony Rodriguez Thanksgiving Food Distribution, Kendall Soccer Park, 10 AM: Instagram Link
November 22
- City of North Miami Beach Turkey Distribution, Kevin R. Sims Aquatic Center, 9–11 AM. Residents may receive one turkey per household (government ID required). Walk-ups welcome. Instagram Link
- Marleine Bastien Turkey Giveaway, Oak Grove Park, 10 AM – 1 PM (or until supplies last): Instagram Link
November 24 – City of North Miami Beach Kosher Turkey Pick-Up, Marjorie & William McDonald Center, 9 AM – 12 PM
November 25 – City of North Miami Farm Share Food Drive, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Kevin R. Sims Aquatic Center.
Ongoing / Recurring Programs
- Freedom Lab / Smile Trust Free Meals
Monday–Saturday: 9:30 AM – 11 AM, Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 5–8:30 PM
Instagram Link - Urban Oasis Project Farmers Market
Legion Park: Saturdays, 9 AM – 2 PM
Vizcaya Village: Sundays, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Instagram Link - UM Student Affairs Food Pantry: Link
- Farm Share Food Distribution: Link
- NMB Farm Share: Instagram Link
- Dial 2-1-1 for referrals across South Florida
Community & Church Food Programs
- Miami-Dade Community Services – Tue & Fri, 2 PM, 1901 SW 1st St, Miami
- YMCA of South Florida (Allapattah Villages) – Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 2–4 PM, 2370 NW 17th Ave
- The Salvation Army Miami – Food pantry Tue–Fri 9:30–11:30 AM, Meals Sun–Sat (Breakfast 7:45 AM, Lunch 12:45 PM, Dinner 6:15 PM)
- Central Christian Church – 2nd & 4th Sat 9–10 AM, 222 Menores Ave, Coral Gables
- Miami Bethany Church of the Nazarene – Sun 1–5 PM, 2490 NW 35th St
- Sunshine Community Group – Wed 10 AM – 1 PM, 3990 W Flagler St
- Curley’s House – Tue & Thu, 11 AM, 6025 NW 6th Ct
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church – 11691 NW 25th St, Doral
- Food For Life Network – Call for availability, 3510 Biscayne Blvd Suite 109
- NoMi Food Pantry – Mon, Tue, Thu 9 AM – 3:30 PM (Closed 1–2 PM), 12500 NW 13th Ave, North Miami
- Jewish Community Services of South Florida – Apply Here
Community Fridges (24/7 Access)
- Little Haiti 1 – Vegan Marie, 274 NW 54th St
- Little Haiti 2 – WIC at Little Haiti Health Center, 300 NE 80th Terrace
- Overtown – Dunn’s Overtown Farms, 937 NW 3rd Ave, Mon–Fri 9 AM – 4 PM
- Coconut Grove – Adventure Sports, 3600 Grand Ave
- Florida City – WIC Homestead, 753 W Palm Dr
Broward & Palm Beach Counties
- Dial 2-1-1 for local referrals
- Palm Beach County Food Bank – Link
- Feeding South Florida – 2501 SW 32 Terrace, Pembroke Park, FL, Mon–Fri 8 AM – 5 PM
Website - Lauderdale Lakes Thanksgiving Voucher Giveaway – Instagram
- Urban Oasis Project Farmers Market (Pembroke Pines) – Instagram
- Kasa Champet Free Hot Lunch – Instagram
- Nina’s Place Free Community Market (Deerfield & Pompano) – Instagram
- Tamarac Pet Pantry – Website
- Coordinated Council of Broward Food Assistance Locations – Interactive Map & Directory
Kasa Champet Restaurant & Lounge Offering Free Hot Lunches 
City of Lauderdale Lakes Thanksgiving Voucher Giveaway 
Freedom Lab/Smile Trust Free Meals 
Urban Oasis Project Farmers Market 
Nina’s Place Free Community Market (Deerfield and Pompano) 
Nina’s Place Free Community Market (Deerfield and Pompano) Cont.
🏠 Housing & Bill Assistance
- Lou Foundation Homeless Distribution – Instagram
- Camillus House – Housing Programs
- Axis Help – Housing & Bill Assistance
- Mortgage Relief Assistance – Up to $1,500 for homeowners: Apply Here
- Homeless Prevention – Link
- Stop Eviction Resources – Legal Services
❤️ Health, Financial & Miscellaneous Support
Medicaid Coverage Help (Florida)
- File an internal appeal with your Medicaid Managed Care Plan within 60 days of denial.
- If needed, request a Medicaid Fair Hearing within 120 days:
- Call 1-877-254-1055
- Email: MedicaidFairHearingUnit@ahca.myflorida.com
- If requested within 10 days, your current benefits may continue until a decision is made.
- Florida Health Justice Project | AHCA Fair Hearing Info
Other Health Insurance Options
- Losing Medicaid qualifies for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) at HealthCare.gov
- Apply 60 days before coverage ends or 90 days after
- Financial assistance (premium tax credits, cost-sharing reductions) may be available
- Open Enrollment typically begins November 1
Mental Health & Substance Use Support
- Emergency: Call 911
- National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988
- Florida 211: Dial 211 or visit Inform Florida 211
- SAMSHA Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
- NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
- Local Crisis Support:
- Broward: 24-hour helpline 954-537-0211
- Miami-Dade & Monroe: Thriving Mind SF 305-434-7660 (Option 8)
Low-Cost Health Care in South Florida
Miami-Dade County
- Community Health of South Florida (CHI)
- Borinquen Medical Centers
- Care Resource
- Jessie Trice Community Health Center
- North Miami Beach Free Health Clinic (Nov 8 + Dec 7) Instagram
- Camillus House – Basic Needs Assistance
Broward & Palm Beach Counties
- Broward Community & Family Health Centers (BCFHC)
- Broward HealthPoint
- C.L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics (Palm Beach)
- Florida Community Health Centers (FCHC)
- Care Resource (Broward)
- Use HRSA Health Center Locator to find the nearest location
Hospital Financial Assistance
- Most South Florida hospitals offer Charity Care / Uninsured Discount Policies
- Contact patient financial services or billing departments for applications and eligibility
💡 More Help
If you’re unsure where to start, call 2-1-1 in your county. Operators can connect you with local food, housing, mental health, and financial assistance programs in real time.
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