Key West Organizations Help Feed Community

Florida’s Economy vs. Food Insecurity 

Florida’s economy in November 2025 is still growing faster than the national average, but food insecurity is a major issue due to recent SNAP benefit cuts during the government shutdown. Food pantries across the state are strained, serving more people than usual. Lawfully present immigrants (green card holders, refugees, asylees, etc.) can receive SNAP, though recent federal restrictions narrowed eligibility. Food pantries, which are private charities, are legally allowed to distribute food to immigrants regardless of status.

Florida continues to outperform the national economy, with GDP growth around 1.4%, the second-fastest in the U.S. Florida has over 23.7 million residents, with more than 1,000 new people moving in daily.  Unemployment is low at 3.7%, but housing affordability and immigration enforcement are challenges.  The 43-day government shutdown (Oct–Nov 2025) disrupted SNAP payments. Millions of Floridians missed benefits, receiving only half or partial payments until mid-November. SNAP funding was restored on Nov. 13, 2025, with payments resuming within 24–72 hours, though some households face a 15% reduction due to emergency funding limits.

Food banks across Florida report unprecedented demand. Central Florida, Tampa Bay, and South Florida, and Key West pantries are struggling to keep up.  Lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, and certain humanitarian immigrants can receive SNAP after meeting requirements.  However, the 1996 welfare law imposed a five-year waiting period for many immigrants, and the 2025 “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act further restricted eligibility.  Furthermore, illegal Immigrants are not eligible for SNAP benefits.

Food pantries are private or nonprofit organizations. They are legally allowed to distribute food to anyone in need, including immigrants, regardless of legal status. Unlike SNAP, food pantries are not bound by federal eligibility rules. Many explicitly serve immigrant communities, such as the SOS Foundation in Stock Island, which serves a high number of immigrants in the Stock Island area.

 Key West Organizations Help Feed Community

Key West’s food insecurity is a sad reality in Key West for some, just like other parts of the country. Many Key West Organizations help feed the community. Local nonprofits like SOS Foundation and Star of the Sea Outreach Mission are serving record numbers of families, and city officials are considering emergency funding to keep pantries stocked.  Food banks across Florida — from Tampa Bay to South Florida — are reporting unprecedented demand. Here in Key West, several organizations are serving the community in this time of need. 

They are listed below:

SOS Foundation (Stock Island & Key Largo):

• Runs client‑choice pantries where families pick culturally relevant foods.  

• Distributed 1.53 million pounds of food in 2024, saving households about $2.8 million.  

• Open to all residents, no income or citizenship requirements.  

Star of the Sea Outreach Mission (Stock Island):

• One of South Florida’s largest food programs, serving 10,000+ people annually.  

• Offers fresh produce, meats, dairy, breads, and canned goods.  

• Requires proof of residence for first‑time clients, but provides ongoing weekly support. 
  

City Response:

• Officials are proposing $40,000 in emergency funding for local pantries.  

• Loaves and Fish Pantry reports a 30% increase in clients, many new to food assistance.  

Other Local Pantries:

• Saint Mary’s Soup Kitchen  

• FKOC Food Pantry  

• Salvation Army of the Florida Keys  

•  Glad Tidings Assembly of God Pantry  

Together, these nonprofits are legally able to serve all residents in need, regardless of immigration status — a critical difference from SNAP, which excludes undocumented immigrants but allows U.S. citizen children in mixed‑status families to qualify.  

To donate or volunteer, visit:

• St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen

• SOS Foundation Food Pantries

• FKOC Food Pantry

• Salvation Army of the Florida Keys

• Glad Tidings Pantry

Sources

“About.” SOS Foundation, 2025. [https://www.sosfoundation.org/about] (https://www.sosfoundation.org/about)  

“Charitable Food Distribution and Immigrant Access.” Feeding Florida, 2025. [https://www.feedingflorida.org](https://www.feedingflorida.org)  

“Florida Economy Still Growing Faster than Nation, but Storm Clouds Loom.” Orlando Sentinel, 14 Nov. 2025.  

“Florida Food Pantries Struggle as SNAP Benefits Cut During Shutdown.” Tampa Bay Times, 10 Nov. 2025.  

“Food Pantries.” SOS Foundation, 2025. [https://www.sosfoundation.org/food-pantries](https://www.sosfoundation.org/food-pantries)  

“Immigrant Eligibility for SNAP Benefits.” U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, updated Nov. 2025. [https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligibility](https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligibility)  

“SNAP Benefits Resume after Shutdown, but Cuts Remain.” Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2025.  

“SOS Foundation Florida Keys Hunger Relief Foundation.” SOS Foundation, 2025. [https://www.sosfoundation.org](https://www.sosfoundation.org)  

“Star of the Sea Outreach Mission Food Program.” Food Banks in Florida, 2025. [https://foodbanksinflorida.org/food-bank/star-of-the-sea-outreach-mission]