Local Non-Profit Organization Offers Day Shelter Services To Community Members In Need
By Allison Williams
The Mission of Winter Haven is a non-profit organization right here in Winter Haven. They aim to provide help and daytime shelter services to those in need.
Their mission: To provide individuals facing hunger and homelessness a haven during the day and compassionate support, connecting them to vital resources that eliminate barriers and foster spiritual resilience and growth.
The Mission offers several services to the community from a food pantry to homeless services to showers.
Food Pantry
The Mission offers a food pantry at their location on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am to 11:00am. During this time, registered individuals/families can shop for themselves and grab what’s needed.
*To register, The Mission will need a form of identification and a form that proves residency, such as a utility bill.
Soup Kitchen
The Mission also has a soup kitchen, where both breakfast and lunches are served. They offer a continental style breakfast, offerings things such as coffee and pastries.
Breakfast hours are 9:00am – 11:00am Monday to Friday.
Lunch hours are 11:45am – 1:00pm Monday to Friday.
*They also do a Devotional before lunch at 11:15 am.
Community Feedings
Not only does The Mission provide a soup kitchen five days a week, but they also have what’s called community feedings. Local groups come together for this and offer evening meals at 5:00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Also, on most Saturdays, breakfast is served at 9:00am (check with facility before coming) and lunch is served on Sundays at 12:00pm.
Basic Needs
A “basic needs” closet is also onsite. This is a place people can visit in order to pick up everyday items/hygienic items, etc. Often available are items like clothing, hygiene, shoes, etc.
Hours for the basic needs closet are Tuesday to Thursday from 9:00am – 11:30 am.
Showers
The basic needs closet and showers go hand in hand. Grab what is needed from the basic needs closet, then head over to the showers. Also provided here are fresh towels.
Showering hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
Homeless Services
The Mission provides homeless services. They not only provide the homeless with a safe space and an air conditioned space, but they also offer many other beneficial services.
Services include:
- Free WiFi
- An address for receiving mail
- Acquiring an ID
- Birth Certificate
- Social Security Cards
Sometimes people struggling are afraid to ask for help, or maybe don’t know where to even go for help. Spreading awareness about this wonderful facility could help someone who is in need but just never knew where to go.
The Mission is seeking the community’s help. To help, they are always accepting donations. They depend on the community to contribute in order to make The Mission as successful as it is. Ways to donate are to sponsor a meal, donate hygienic supplies, or replenish the food pantry with a donation. Contact The Mission today to donate or stop by.
Phone: 863-299-2348
Email: [email protected]
Address:
180 E Central Ave
Winter Haven, FL 33880
Donated items needed:
- Food
- Clothes
- Hygienic items
- Blankets
- Sleeping bags
Interested in sponsoring a meal?
You can feed around 150 people by sponsoring a meal. The cost is $240. Contact the facility for more information on becoming a sponsor.
The Mission hours of operation:
Monday to Thursday from 9:00am – 3:00 pm
Friday 9:00am – 1:00 pm
Visit The Mission for more information.