Sharing & Caring of Okaloosa County Main Page

CURRENT PROCEDURES

Sharing & Caring is open and we have coordinated new procedures to serve clients in a safe manner.

Signs are posted in front of the building with instructions.

We are open Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday from 9 AM - 12 PM AND Monday & Wednesday from 9 AM - 2 PM

It is our mission to coordinate community efforts to meet emergency needs of families in the Niceville-Valparaiso-Choctaw Beach area.

About Us

Sharing & Caring Niceville is proud to have been a supporting member of our community since 1989. Starting as a food pantry, we've expanded services to helping area families with rent, utilities, prescriptions, school supplies, meals for Christmas & Thanksgiving. But the need in our community continues to grow.

In 2023, the number of people we provided food to increased by over 26%. Rent, utilities and other financial aid provided to families increased by 33%.

Our ability to meet the continuing challenges of our clients cannot continue without the support of members of our community, individuals and businesses.

You can help Sharing & Caring celebrate 35 years of serving the community by becoming a Sponsor today. For more information call 850-678-8459 or email info@sharing-n-caring.org.

Did you know....

$38 will pay for required school supplies for 1 child who normally starts school with little to no supplies.

$40 will pay for the cost of a prescription for a client who may otherwise have to go without necessary medications.

$48 will pay for a holiday meal for a family of 4.

$57 will pay for the cost of gifts for a child whose family may not be able to afford gifts to celebrate Christmas.

$117 will pay for groceries for a family of 4 for one of their 2 monthly visits.

$180 will pay a utility bill so a local family can keep their power on

$200 will pay for a month of groceries for 1 homeless person.

$432 will help pay for one month's rent, keeping a local family in their home for another month.

*Financial assistance costs are averages based on 1 year's assistance data. Food costs are based on the average cost of purchased food*

We Care

The Niceville Sharing & Caring is a food source for families in the local community who need assistance. Food is available to anyone in Niceville, Valparaiso, Seminole, and Choctaw Beach who qualifies within our guidelines. A basic menu of food staples is given, usually enough for three days.

Clients include the homeless, elderly, jobless, singles, and families. They are often referred to us by churches, other social agencies, or by word of mouth. Trained volunteers interview clients to evaluate the needs of the individual.

Sharing & Caring helps families with rent and utilities, contingent upon donations from the community. We also assist with some prescriptions. At the beginning of each school year, Sharing & Caring sponsors a "Tools for School" program where we provide school supplies and, if donations allow, a gift card for clothing. During the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday, Sharing & Caring acts as the coordinating agency and also participates with area churches and civic organizations to provide meals and gifts for families.

Through networking, we can often refer a client to needed health care, job opportunities, or other resources within the community.

Statistics

In 2023, we provided:

  • FOOD for 7,520 people (reflects multiple visits throughout the year)
  • FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE to 1,499 people; RENT - $61,235; UTILITIES - $78,183; MEDICINE - $579; and SPECIAL NEEDS - $4,331
  • SCHOOL SUPPLIES for 121 students

      • In coordination with area churches and civic organizations, we provided:

      • THANKSGIVING MEALS - 218 families, 595 people
      • CHRISTMAS MEALS - 264 families, 731 people
      • CHRISTMAS TOY STORE - 110 families, 243 children
      • ANGEL TREE GIFTS - 138 families, 309 children

      In 2023, we received in donations:

      • FOOD from Individuals/Community - $300,987 and US Department of Agriculture - $157,217
      • CASH from Individuals - $98,680, Churches - $42,655, Businesses & Organizations - $20,856, and United Way & Grants - $26,831
      • OTHER donations are School supplies - $2,180 and Cash for Holidays - $500

      In 2023, Sharing & Caring of Niceville provided over $600,000 in food, financial assistance and other help to needy families in the local community.