“The poorest of the poor will find pasture, and the needy
will lie down in safety.”  Isaiah 14:30

Love INC of the Heart of Florida serves areas of Lake, Sumter and Marion Counties.  Our local affiliate provides a variety of services, including housing assistance, help with utilities and emergency funds.  Our clients can also be approved to participate in one of our many ministries or special programs.
 

To take part in any of our services, the first step is for a person in need to contact our in-take office and complete a phone interview.  Once the in-take process is complete and the information and need is verified, Love INC will assist the client, or refer them to one of our ministries for help.  As an added service we also provide information on other community organizations that we feel may be able to provide assistance.  If you need help, call us today at 352-245-8774 to start the process.
 

First Baptist Church of Summerfield Clothing & Food Pantry

Facilitated by: First Baptist Church of Summerfield 

Distribution Sites:  First Baptist Church of Summerfield

Providing quality clothing and temporary food to help a neighbor in need fill the gap between paychecks or other resources.

House of Esther Shopping Pantry Cooperative Ministry

Facilitated by:  Love INC in cooperation with St. John Lutheran Church, St. Mark The Evangelist St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Interfaith Emergency Services 

Distribution Sites:  St. John Lutheran Church

Unique in style House of Esther provides clients with a personal shopping assistant, thus allowing clients to pick and choose (using guidelines) which items they will take home with them.  In today’s tough economic climate, more and more individuals and families are experiencing the effects of hunger. Our goal is to help these people by supplementing their existing food supply with an array of nutritious food items. You can help! We are in need of the following non-perishable food items:

Grains – rice (white and brown), flour, oatmeal, dried pasta

Canned fish and meat – tuna, salmon, chicken, sardines, corned beef, etc.

Canned or dried beans – kidney, black, lentils, chickpeas

Canned fruits and vegetables

Cereals

Healthy snacks and spreads – peanut butter, almond butter, nuts, popcorn, granola bars, crackers, etc.
 

Gas Can Gap Ministry

Facilitated by:  New Life Christian Church

Distribution Sites:  Haggai House, Lady Lake United Methodist Church, and St. Timothy’s Catholic Church

Gas vouchers are available to clients who meet certain requirements.  If you see a Love INC red gas can around, help us help our clients by donating your loose change.  What may seem like only a few cents quickly adds up to hundreds of dollars that then can be used to buy gas vouchers for clients in need.

Haggai House

Located at:  Ocklawaha United Methodist Church

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared the “war on poverty” in response to a high national poverty rate.  While this initiative was well-intentioned, the “war” largely failed.  Love In the Name of Christ believes it is now time to declare the “Love” on Poverty, because as the bible tells us, love never fails (I Corinthians 13:8).

Haggai House is a Love INC ministry that puts the Love on Poverty to work within the microcosm of Ocklawaha and surrounding areas.  Our goal is to be strategic about mobilizing the resources of area churches and community agencies while also locating and addressing gaps in service.  Along with our sister ministry, Grandma and Grandpa’s House (GG’s) and the existing ministries of Ocklawaha United Methodist Church, we will strive to meet the following key areas of need in the communities we serve. 

Access Florida – Computer access is provided for families to apply for food stamps, Medicaid and financial assistance through Access Florida.  Via the Department of Children and Families.

Food - Haggai House will focus on the unserved needs of mothers with infants by distributing baby formula and food to families in need.

Clothing - Haggai House offers a work closet for job seekers within a variety of occupations.  Baby clothing is also provided as part of our Baby Ministry.

Health Care - Haggai House provides baby care items and hygiene products for new mothers and the homeless.

Life Skills - Haggai House partners with GG’s House to offer classes on smart grocery shopping, positive parenting, achieving financial freedom and life skills.

 

Medical Equipment Gap Ministry

Located at:  St. John Lutheran Church

The Medical Equipment Ministry seeks to provide necessary medical equipment to clients in need.  By offering a variety of basic care items, we aim to be a blessing to those among us who are sick or injured.  Some of the items we offer include wheel chairs, shower chairs, potty chairs, walkers, and crutches.  If you have any items to donate, call us at 352-245-8774.
 

Upper Room Clothing Gap Ministry

Located at: Lady Lake United Methodist Church

The Upper Room Clothing Ministry helps provide clothing and household items to clients in need, including clothing (men’s, women’s and children’s 2T and up), linens (sheets, towels and blankets), kitchen items (pots, pans, utensils, dishes, silverware, toasters, etc.) and other household items (alarm clocks, vacuum cleaners, irons, etc.)  Donations of any of the above-mentioned items can be dropped off at the Love INC office or at Lady Lake United Methodist Church (Monday-Friday 8:30AM - 11:30 AM.  Please mark these items "For Love INC".)  Thank you!

We are a volunteer-based organization and are always looking for more people to join our movement.  If you are interested in volunteering for this or another Love INC ministry, call our Volunteer Coordinator today at  352.245.8774.