THE PANTRY OF BROWARD INC

THE ORGANIZATION IS A "ONE-STOP SHOP" FOR SENIORS (AGES 60+) STRUGGLING TO LIVE ON LOW FIXED INCOMES AND GRANDPARENTS RAISING THEIR GRANDCHILDREN. EACH OF ITS CLIENTS MEET WITH THE DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES TO REGULARLY TO REVIEW THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND DETERMINE HOW THE ORGANIZATION CAN BEST HELP THEM. TYPICAL SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE:1) PROVIDING HUNGER ASSISTANCE BY PROVIDING 425 CLIENTS WITH A 55-POUND BOX OF NUTRITIONAL FOOD, INCLUDING FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND BREAD. TO FURTHER PROVIDE HUNGER ASSISTANCE, THE ORGANIZATION SERVES AS A COMMUNITY PARTNER FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND CAN ASSIST QUALIFIED CLIENTS WITH APPLYING FOR FOOD STAMP BENEFITS. THE ORGANIZATION ESTIMATES THAT THIS FOOD HELPS 1,000 INDIVIDUALS EACH MONTH, INCLUDING 165 GRANDCHILDREN.2) THE ORGANIZATION SERVES AS A RESOURCE FOR IDENTIFYING SUBSIDIZED SENIOR HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES AND GUIDES CLIENTS THROUGH THE APPROVAL PROCESS, ADVOCATING FOR THEM AS NEEDED. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION PARTNERS WITH AREA BUSINESSES TO PROVIDE HOME REPAIR SERVICES IN AN EFFORT TO CREATE A SAFER AND MORE SECURE LIVING ENVIRONMENT AND OFFERS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE WITH UTILITY AND RENT PAYMENTS.3) GRANDPARENTS THRUST INTO THE ROLE OF CARING FOR THEIR GRANDCHILDREN OFTEN NEED ASSISTANCE WITH OBTAINING BENEFITS FOR THOSE CHILDREN AND NEED LEGAL CUSTODY TO APPLY FOR THOSE BENEFITS. THE ORGANIZATION WALKS THOSE CLIENTS THROUGH THE PROPER CHANNELS SO THAT THEY CAN WORK THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM TO OBTAIN THAT CUSTODY. ONCE THE CUSTODY IS RECEIVED, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES ITS CLIENTS WITH ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING ALL THE BENEFITS TO WHICH THEY ARE ENTITLED AND PROVIDES THE KIDS WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND HOLIDAY GIFTS.4) THE ORGANIZATION ALSO ASSISTS ITS CLIENTS WITH GUIDANCE TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE AND MEDICATION, AS WELL AS ASSISTING THEM WITH THEIR UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND GUIDANCE TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE AND MEDICATION.