DeSoto County Survival Guide

Food Pantries:

All Faiths Food Bank DeSoto Food and Resource Center – 1021 E Oak Street, Arcadia (941) 379-6333 mobile distributions (once every 14 days), free emergency food, free application assistance for SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, Income Tax Assistance

Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice – 1210 East Oak Street, Arcadia (863) 494-1068

Trinity United Methodist Church – 304 West Oak Street, Arcadia (863) 494-2543

Hands for Homeless – 106 North Butler Avenue, Avon Park (863) 212-8941

Cutting Edge Ministries, Inc – Zolfo Springs (863) 773-2484

First Baptist Church of Arcadia – 1006 North Brevard Avenue, Arcadia (863) 494-3622

Farmworker Emergency Support Services – The Agricultural & Labor Program (ALPI) – (863) 956-3491 call for eligibility, services include shelter, food, education, employment and training, transportation, and referrals to other resources

Housing & Shelters:

DeSoto Cares Homeless Services – 159 S Orange Ave, Arcadia (863) 491-9933

Arcadia FL Housing Authority Arcadia – 7 Booker T Washington Road, Arcadia (863) 494-4343

Catholic Charities of DeSoto County – 1210 East Oak Street, Arcadia (863) 494-1068

Homeless Veterans Initiative – Disabled American Veterans – (877) 426-2838

Heartland Coalition for the Homeless – 752 US Highway 27 North, Avon Park (863) 453-8901

Farmworker Emergency Support Services – The Agricultural & Labor Program (ALPI) – (863) 956-3491 call for eligibility, services include shelter, food, education, employment and training, transportation, and referrals to other resources

Clothing:

Arcadia Center for the Needy – 163 S Orange Ave, Arcadia

DeSoto Cares Homeless Services – 159 S Orange Ave, Arcadia (863) 491-9933

DeSoto County Veterans Services – 201 E Oak St #202, Arcadia (863) 993-4858

Medical:

Arcadia Children’s Healthcare Center – 250 N Brevard Avenue, Arcadia (863) 494-4433 sliding scale

Community Care Family Clinic Counseling Services – 725 N 12th Ave, Arcadia (863) 494-1242 sliding scale

Community Care Family Clinic – 1148 E Gibson St, Arcadia (863) 494-6222 sliding scale

Community Care OB/GYN and Chiropractic Clinic – 1110 E Gibson St, Arcadia (863) 494-6222 sliding scale

Center for Family Health – DeSoto Memorial Hospital – 900 N Roberts Ave, Arcadia (863) 494-8401 sliding scale

Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County – 34 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia (863) 993-4601 sliding scale

Arcadia Family Optometry Center – 122 N Brevard Ave, Arcadia (863) 491-7585 sliding scale

DeSoto Center for Health – 519 W Hickory Street, Arcadia (863) 491-7580

Dental:

Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County Dental Clinic – 34 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia (863) 993-4601 sliding scale

Medications:

DeSoto County Health Department – 34 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia (863) 494-1351

Florida RX Connects – visit their website for eligibility criteria and application information https://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/florida-rx-repository-program/patients/index.html

Mental Health/Counseling:

MCR Health Community Care Family Clinic Counseling Services – 725 North 12th Avenue Building B, Arcadia (863) 494-1242 sliding scale

First Step Outpatient Behavioral Health Services – 10 East Oak Street, Arcadia (863) 494-1324 sliding scale

DeSoto Memorial Hospital Intensive Outpatient Psychiatric Services – 900 North Robert Avenue Third Floor, Arcadia (863) 491-4309 sliding scale

Financial Assistance:

The Salvation Army (DeSoto) – 145 S Orange Avenue, Arcadia (863) 491-0455 help with utility bills, fuel or wood shortages, shut-off notice – one benefit per season up to $600.00 per season; vouchers to buy blankets, portable heaters and fans; assistance to pay for repairs to existing heating or cooling systems or reconnection costs – must meet eligibility requirements

Catholic Charities of DeSoto County – 1210 East Oak Street, Arcadia (863) 494-1068 financial assistance for utilities, rent, and mortgage

DeSoto County Social Services – 201 East Oak Street, Arcadia (863) 993-4858 help with electric bills

Transportation:

MTM Transit – servicing DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, & Okeechobee. Call (800) 694-6566 in DeSoto County for eligibility and scheduling service

DART – DeSoto-Arcadia Regional Transit – 201 East Oak Street Suite 202, Arcadia (855) 418-0466

Farmworker Emergency Support Services – The Agricultural & Labor Program (ALPI) – (863) 956-3491 call for eligibility, services include shelter, food, education, employment and training, transportation, and referrals to other resources

Miscellaneous:

Trinity’s Neighborhood Lunch – 304 W Oak St, Arcadia (863) 494-2543 church provides free lunch every Monday and Wednesday 11am-12:30pm

Farmworker Emergency Support Services – The Agricultural & Labor Program (ALPI) – (863) 956-3491 call for eligibility, services include shelter, food, education, employment and training, transportation, and referrals to other resources

The Dysphagia Outreach Project – provides access to thickeners, pre-modified foods, therapy tools, oral care supplies, and adaptive equipment to low-income individuals with dysphagia. Email to get more information: team@dysphagiaoutreach.org

IDignity – https://idignity.org/ – Getting documents like birth certificates, ID cards, Social Security cards