Programs and Services

FTLOT provides community-based assistance through food and essential-needs distribution, college student support, senior outreach, youth support, and resource-navigation services. Programs are provided directly and through community partners, subject to available donations, funding, volunteer capacity, and program eligibility.

Target Population

We serve individuals and families facing hardship and access barriers, and we prioritize safety and dignity—especially for vulnerable adults and foster/kinship-connected families.

Low-income households experiencing food insecurity and difficulty affording basic necessities
Youth and young adults needing education and stability supports, including students with limited financial resources
College students including foster care alumni facing inconsistent access to food and essential items
Kinship caregivers and families caring for children involved in the foster care system, especially those navigating financial strain and limited support. Kinship caregivers are relatives (like grandparents, aunts/uncles, older siblings) or close family friends who step in to care for a child when the parents can’t—often with little notice and limited support.
Seniors and adults with disabilities facing access barriers and safety concerns, including those at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation (with pro bono legal partner connections when appropriate)

Community Commodities Program - Active

What It Is

The Community Commodities Program provides direct assistance through food distributions, hygiene supplies, household essentials, and community partnerships. The program is designed to reduce immediate hardship and improve access to essential resources for underserved individuals and families.

Who It Serves

The program serves individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, financial hardship, transportation barriers, and other challenges in Tallahassee and surrounding communities. Assistance is based on available supplies, funding, volunteer capacity, and program eligibility.

Current Programs and Outreach Initiatives

Collaborative Food Distribution

In partnership with Maranatha Seventh-day Adventist Church, this ongoing initiative provides food assistance to underserved households through recurring distributions at senior centers, subsidized housing communities, churches, community partner sites, and individual residences throughout the Tallahassee area.

Current outreach and distribution sites include:

Smith-Williams Senior Center
Elevate Church Tallahassee
Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church
Individual home deliveries for eligible households experiencing access or transportation barriers

College Student Support Initiative

The College Student Support Initiative provides food assistance, hygiene products, essential household items, and other basic-needs resources to eligible college students experiencing financial hardship. Assistance is based on current funding and resource availability.

Senior Care & Comfort Outreach

The Senior Care & Comfort Outreach provides food, hygiene items, encouragement, and compassionate community support to participating senior residents through a local church outreach ministry.

The current outreach site is:

Bethel Towers

Youth Thrive Collaborative

In partnership with community distribution partner Danette McBride, the Youth Thrive Collaborative provides essential items and supportive resources to underserved families with children and youth. Assistance is delivered through community-based distributions, outreach activities, and collaborative partnerships throughout the Tallahassee area.

Planned Program Expansion

As funding, inventory, partnerships, volunteers, and organizational capacity become available, FTLOT plans to expand its services to include:

Increased food and essential-needs distribution capacity
Food-box and meal-delivery services for older adults and individuals with disabilities
Clothing and essential-item assistance
Community outreach days and special events
A weekend backpack food program for children and youth

These services are in the planning stage and are not currently guaranteed or continuously available.

How to Access Assistance

Visit the Get Help page or contact FTLOT to learn about current program availability. Submitting a request does not guarantee assistance. Services depend on available resources, funding, program requirements, service area, and partner capacity.

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