Our goal at The SOS Foundation is simple: increase the health and well-being of low-income individuals and families in Monroe County, Florida Food Pantry: The SOS Foundation operates a client-choice food pantry that provides not only food, but also clothing, sanitary items, haircuts, and access to federal assistance programs. Through our Food Recovery Program, SOS is able to distribute 1.5 million pounds of food to over 9,000 unduplicated clients each year throughout Monroe County. Seven days a week, 365-days a year, SOS food recovery trucks pick up donated food, transporting it to our two facilities in Key West and Key Largo where it is stored and then distributed to low-income individuals and working-poor families throughout the County. Through this operation, more than 50% of the food we provide is fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and dairy products, and staple items such as rice and beans. Community Kitchen: Via the Community Kitchen, SOS prepares fresh, nutritious meals for low-income children and senior citizens throughout Monroe County. By utilizing the 40,000 pounds of fresh produce we procure each month, SOS is able to provide healthy meals and afterschool snacks for senior citizens and children at childcare centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs, and afterschool programs. Nutrition Education Program: Via the Community Kitchen, SOS’s Registered Dietician conducts nutrition education classes and interactive cooking demonstrations, both of which are intended to teach clients how to maintain and improve their health through the food choices they make and the techniques they use to prepare their food. SOS makes available nutrition resources that may not be readily available to low-income clients in an effort to 1) magnify the benefits of our healthy food distributions at the SOS Food Pantry, and 2) adopt a more comprehensive approach to addressing food insecurity and chronic, food-related illnesses.
