The Florida Keys and Key West, are known as “Paradise” but a growing number of residents are struggling just to feed themselves and their families. While Key West is home to a variety of the world’s most famous restaurants and offers numerous beautiful dining settings, some of Key West’s own residents go without regular meals. A significant number of the food insecure citizens that turn to FKOC for food assistance don’t qualify for federal nutrition programs & are forced to rely on emergency programs such as provided by FKOC. Many are working poor, elderly, & children.
Monroe County has the highest food cost index in South Florida. The food budget shortfall in Monroe County per person per week is $22.36, with a total shortfall of $6,530,000.00 or 1,700,520 meals per year. 21.5% of children in South Florida are food insecure, meaning, 264,80 children go to bed hungry.
This is more than a community problem; it is a national disgrace and a preventable crisis.
The Loaves & Fish Food Pantry assists community members in need of nonperishable food items. The William M. Neece Center is available to any Monroe County community members who are unable to afford sufficient amounts of food.
The William Neece Center
Open Monday thru Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm, after hour services available by request
2221 Patterson Ave
Key West, FL 33040
Food for the pantry is donated from local churches, individuals, food drives and from the USDA. Further financial support is provided by the United Way of the Florida Keys and Episcopal Charities of Southeast Florida.
70% of the food insecure population in our community qualify, based on income, for food stamps (SNAP) & other federal nutrition programs, while 30% do not and often must rely on programs like the Loaves and Fish Food Pantry. Loaves & Fish Food Pantry serves people regardless of religious, ethnic or political affiliation. Community members may receive up to three-days’ worth of food per household member to supplement other food resources.
Data taken from FeedingAmerica.org, Map The Gap, 2016 and FeedingSouthFlorida.org, Press Release 05/09/2016
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6163 (in Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online here, or at any USDA Office, or call (866) 632-9922 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, S.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or by email at program.intake@usda.gov.”