The National Church of God Community Food Pantry(otherwise known as Caring and Sharing) is a welcoming, faith-based outreach program serving the families of Fort Lauderdale and surrounding neighborhoods. Our mission is to provide compassionate support to individuals and households facing food insecurity, regardless of background, age, or circumstance. We serve a diverse community that includes younger families, seniors, single parents, individuals experiencing hardship, veterans, and those in need of emergency food assistance. Each month, multiple families rely on our pantry for nutritious groceries that help bridge the gap during difficult times. We gratefully accept donations of healthy, fresh food, as well as non-perishable items, toiletries, and hygiene products. Fresh produce is especially appreciated, as it allows us to offer healthier options to the families we serve.
We also welcome kosher, halal, vegetarian, and culturally inclusive foods to better meet the needs of our diverse community. Our goal is simple: to uplift our neighbors with dignity, compassion, and practical support. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us continue being a blessing to those who need it most.
ProducePedia is a free resource that covers the types of fresh produce that can be delivered to food pantries. Each entry includes information on color, taste, and possible uses. People unfamiliar with the vegetable or fruit will learn how to use it, and those who are familiar with it still might learn a fun fact or two!
The Cooperative Extension sites have a wealth of information for any backyard gardener. Once you go to the site (each one if very different from the others) look for a link for “homes and gardens”, “landscape”, “consumer horticulture”, etc. to find information on improving your backyard garden. Neighboring state sites may offer information your own state’s site lacks.