Alfredo Morales, a 30-year-old organizer for Free Grocery Store, went from volunteering at a food bank to receiving meals from it in 2021, when he lost his engineering job.
Morales believes the threat of food insecurity looms over everyone.
“Everybody is one or two paychecks away from having to need this help,” he said.
The government shutdown, which caused delays in the distribution of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, amplified that sentiment for many.
Now, as the government reopens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture focuses on issuing SNAP benefits as quickly as possible.
Despite the uncertainty associated with SNAP distribution, Alachua County organizations like Free Grocery Store, Bread of the Mighty and The Long Foundation Inc. remain united in their goal to help families facing food insecurity.
Free Grocery Store
Free Grocery Store, a Gainesville-based food provider, offers free food through delivery and in-person pickup services. The grocery store will offer its next in-person pantry at the Civic Media Center at 2:45 p.m. on Nov. 25, two days before Thanksgiving.
Morales, who now serves as an organizer for the nonprofit, said the organization does more than just feed the community — it humanizes charity.
“I've experienced this growing up, needing SNAP benefits, needing charity,” he said. “It feels demoralizing, feels dehumanizing, but it shouldn't be.”
With the reduction of SNAP benefits during the government shutdown, the organization experienced not only an increase in recipients but also in volunteers, said Morales.
Still, he encourages community members to consider those in need.
“Food insecurity affects all of us,” Morales said. “We're only as well fed as our hungriest neighbor.”
Bread of the Mighty
Bread of the Mighty Food Bank, which services Alachua, Gilchrist, Levy and Union Counties, will host its annual series of “Harvest Helpings” events this fall season.
These events allow families to pick up Thanksgiving food supplies, including boxes with turkeys and other side dishes.
While the food bank will host various “Harvest Helpings” events throughout the month, the biggest will be held in Gainesville on Nov. 22. The event will start at 9 a.m. at 6125 NW 18th Drive. The organization expects to hand out over 600 turkeys and boxes.
The food bank, which focused on giving aid in the wake of SNAP delays, is now getting a late start on preparing for the holiday events.
“We have traditionally started to stock up on products that we would be handing out at our Thanksgiving giveaways right about now,” said Patrick Dodds, executive director of Bread of the Mighty Food Bank. “Unfortunately, we're not stocking anything. Our shelves are empty. We are moving food out as quick as humanly possible.”
The Long Foundation Inc. Food Giveaway
The Long Foundation Inc. will host its annual food giveaway 8 a.m. Nov. 20 at the Oaks Mall. The initiative dates back to 2008 when Rodney Long, founder and president of the group, served on the Alachua County Commission.
Following his retirement in 2011, he created the foundation to target social issues like homelessness and food insecurity. This group continued the food drive campaign from his time in office.
In 2024, the foundation gave out food to over 1,500 households ahead of Thanksgiving.
For Long, the event is an opportunity to give back to the community.
“Thanksgiving is that month of giving. … The month of November is also recognized as National Hunger Month in America,” he said. “So this is the month where we should be not only giving back for Thanksgiving, but we should certainly try to give back to people who are just in need in general.”
Alachua County residents struggling with food insecurity can look into these resources:
- Free Grocery Store
- Contact: 352-388-1568
- Website: https://gnvfgs.org/
- Bread of the Mighty
- Contact: 352-336-0839
- Website: https://breadofthemighty.org/
- The Long Foundation Inc.
- Contact: 352-371-4566
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Long-Foundation-Inc-100069635504499/
- Cafe 131
- Contact: 352-792-0800
- Website: https://www.gracemarketplace.org/cafe-131
- Open Door Ministries
- Contact: 352-377-8162
- Website: https://www.opendoorministries.com/
- Catholic Charities Bureau
- Contact: 352-372-0294
- Website: https://www.catholiccharitiesgainesville.org/get-help
Contact Grace Larson at glarson@alligator.org. Follow her on X @graceellarson.
Grace is a first year journalism student, serving as city/county commission reporter for the Fall 2025 semester. While she has not previously been on staff, her early journalism experience can be attributed to Devil's Advocate, her high school newspaper. When she is not writing, Grace enjoys staying active by running, weight lifting, hiking and doing yoga. Her other pastimes include thrifting and working on random art projects.
