Food Assistance
Food pantries, meal programs, and nutrition support
Bradford Ecumenical Ministries Food Pantry
Serves residents of Bradford and Union counties. Each visit includes dry/canned goods, fresh meat, bread, and pastries. Families may receive food every 2 months.
True Vine Ministry
Distributes food to all families in need. Also hosts a Mobile Food Pantry with Feeding Northeast Florida on the 3rd Thursday of each month at the Bradford County Fairgrounds. Provides limited utility assistance and gas vouchers.
Lake Area Ministries
Non-profit, non-denominational faith-based organization serving parts of Bradford, Clay, Putnam, and Alachua counties for 20+ years. Provides food pantry, medications, counseling, and rent/utility assistance. Must meet USDA standards for food assistance.
Salvation Army — Bradford & Union Counties Service Unit
Emergency services including food assistance for Bradford and Union county residents in need.
Baker County Minister's Association Food Pantry
Serves families and individuals who have fallen on hard times or are recently unemployed. Provides groceries and pantry staples at no cost.
The Children's Table
Community food distribution held at Little Rock Church. Open to families and individuals in need.
Christ Central of Lake Butler Food Pantry
Monthly food distribution for families and individuals in Union County.
City of Lake Butler & Farm Share
Monthly food distribution at the Lake Butler Community Center. Free fresh produce and groceries on a first-come, first-served basis.
Union Senior Center — Congregate Meals
Hot meals served to seniors through the Suwannee River Economic Council.
Feeding Northeast Florida
Fights food insecurity across Baker, Bradford, and Union counties. Search their website by address or zip code to find the nearest distribution site.
Catholic Charities — Lake City Regional Office
Food pantry serving residents across the tri-county region including Union County.
SNAP & Food Stamps (MyACCESS)
Apply online for SNAP food assistance benefits through Florida's MyACCESS portal. One application covers food assistance, Medicaid, and temporary cash assistance.
Feeding Northeast Florida — SNAP & Medicaid Assistance
Free help applying for SNAP and Medicaid benefits for residents of Baker, Bradford, and Union counties.
Housing Assistance
Emergency shelter, affordable housing, and rental assistance
Baker County SHIP Program
State Housing Initiatives Partnership program providing funds for affordable homeownership and home rehabilitation for very low to moderate income households.
Union CARES
Assistance to help keep residents housed and employed. Applications available at the Union County Board of County Commissioner's Office or downloadable online.
NFCAA — Housing Counseling
Northeast Florida Community Action Agency provides housing counseling, rental assistance, and homelessness prevention services for Baker and surrounding counties.
HUD Housing Resources — Florida
Search for affordable housing, Section 8 vouchers, and public housing options through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Dial 211 for Emergency Shelter
211 operators can connect you with emergency shelter, transitional housing, and rapid re-housing programs in the tri-county area.
Health Services
Medical care, dental, immunizations, and wellness programs
Florida Dept. of Health — Bradford County
Full-service county health department: adult & child health, dental services, immunizations (free for children through age 18), WIC, Healthy Start, women's health, CPR classes, and school physicals.
Florida Dept. of Health — Baker County
Immunizations, WIC, dental services (including mobile Dental Bus), environmental health, and communicable disease prevention. Clinic services on a sliding fee scale. 24/7 emergency coverage.
Florida Dept. of Health — Union County
Immunizations, STD testing, family planning, Healthy Start, and preventive health services.
New River Health
Federally qualified health center providing routine medical care for men, women, and children. Accepts insured and uninsured patients — acute/chronic care and preventive health. Sliding fee scale available.
Florida Mission of Mercy (FLA-MOM)
Large-scale professional dental clinic providing care to any patient at no cost — serving the uninsured and underserved across Florida. Check schedule for nearest event.
Medicaid & Health Insurance (MyACCESS)
Apply for Medicaid and other health coverage through Florida's online portal. One application covers food assistance, Medicaid, and temporary cash assistance.
Mental Health & Substance Abuse
Counseling, crisis support, and recovery programs
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free, confidential 24/7 support for anyone in suicidal crisis, mental health distress, or substance use crisis. Call or text 988.
Meridian Behavioral Healthcare
Serving North Central Florida since 1971 with mental health and substance use treatment services. 13 patient service centers across the region offering counseling, psychiatric care, and crisis stabilization.
DOH Bradford — Mental Health Resources
Bradford County Health Department provides mental health resource referrals and connects residents with local counseling and support services.
DOH Baker — Mental Health & Substance Abuse
Baker County Health Department provides mental health and substance abuse resource information and referrals.
Lake Area Ministries — Counseling
Counseling services available through Lake Area Ministries for residents of Bradford and surrounding counties.
Florida DCF — Substance Abuse & Mental Health
Connects Floridians with behavioral health services, substance abuse treatment, and crisis stabilization programs.
Children & Families
Parenting support, childcare assistance, and family programs
Healthy Start Coalition — Connect Program
Coordinated intake and referral for pregnant women, caregivers, and families with young children in Bradford, Union, and surrounding counties. One-stop entry to home visiting programs.
Partnership for Strong Families
Child welfare services, foster care support, and family strengthening programs across Baker, Bradford, and Union counties.
WIC — Bradford County Health Dept.
Women, Infants & Children nutrition program: supplemental foods, nutrition education, and healthcare referrals for pregnant/postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5.
WIC — Baker County Health Dept.
Women, Infants & Children program providing nutrition support for qualifying families in Baker County.
Baker County YMCA
Youth programs, family activities, fitness, and community events for Baker County families.
Florida DCF — Temporary Cash & Childcare Assistance
Temporary cash assistance, food assistance (SNAP), Medicaid, and childcare assistance for qualifying families. Apply through MyACCESS.
Elderly Services
Programs and support for seniors and caregivers
Baker County Council on Aging (BCCOA)
Comprehensive senior services: home delivered meals, door-to-door transportation (ambulatory & wheelchair), in-county shopping trips (Tue & Thu), Wildcat shuttle to Duval County (3x daily M–F), Bobcat shuttle to Columbia County (2x daily M–F), and senior activities.
Suwannee River Economic Council — Union County
Community Care for the Elderly, Alzheimer's Disease Initiative (respite, case management, medical equipment), Elder Farmers' Market Nutrition, Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly, Home Care for the Elderly, congregate meals, and home delivered meals.
Suwannee River Economic Council — Bradford County
Aging programs including congregate meals, home delivered meals, homemaker services, respite care, specialized medical equipment, nutrition education, health support, and telephone reassurance for seniors.
Elder Helpline
Florida's Elder Helpline connects seniors and caregivers with local aging services — meal programs, transportation, adult day care, and caregiver support.
Employment & Training
Job search, career training, and workforce programs
CareerSource Northeast Florida — Baker County
Employment assistance, job training, resume help, and career counseling for Baker County residents.
CareerSource North Central Florida
Workforce development services for Bradford and Union county residents — job placement, skills training, and career counseling.
SREC — Family Self-Sufficiency Program
Community Services Block Grant program: information & referral, family self-sufficiency, case management, support services, and application assistance to other social service agencies.
Education & Literacy
GED, adult education, college programs, and literacy
Santa Fe College — Adult Education
Santa Fe College serves Bradford County. ABE/GED program builds skills in reading, language, critical thinking, and math to prepare for the GED test. ESOL program available. Classes cost $30 per semester.
Baker County Adult Education — GED Testing
GED preparation and testing services for Baker County residents.
Santa Fe College — Educational Talent Search
Serves 9th–12th grade students at Union County High School with college preparation, tutoring, and educational support resources.
Santa Fe College — Continuing Education
Career training, professional development, and personal enrichment courses. Adult Education Pathways available for students in any adult education program.
Legal Aid
Free and low-cost legal assistance
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA)
Free civil legal assistance for low-income residents of Baker, Bradford, and Union counties. Housing, family law, consumer protection, and benefits.
Three Rivers Legal Services
Free legal assistance for qualifying residents in Bradford, Union, and surrounding counties — housing, family, and public benefits issues.
Florida Veterans Legal Helpline
Free legal advice and referrals for eligible veterans. Benefits, discharge upgrades, and civil legal matters.
Veterans Services
Benefits, healthcare, and support for veterans and their families
Bradford County Veterans Service Office
Assists veterans and families with housing, VA benefits, and aid to widows/widowers.
VA North Florida / South Georgia Healthcare
Veterans healthcare system serving the tri-county area. Includes the Veteran Justice Program for justice-involved veterans.
Veterans Benefits Counseling
C.H. "Bubba" Schlader provides veterans benefits counseling for Baker, Bradford, Union, and surrounding counties.
Utilities Assistance
Help with electric, water, and energy bills
NFCAA — LIHEAP (Baker County)
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: past-due utility bills and deposits. Appointments required — scheduled up to 14 days in advance while funds are available.
SREC — Energy Assistance (Bradford County)
LIHEAP utility bill assistance and Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) support services through the Suwannee River Economic Council's Bradford County office.
SREC — LIWHAP (Union County)
Low Income Household Water Assistance Program: financial assistance for water utility bills for qualifying Union County residents.
True Vine Ministry — Utility Assistance
Limited utility assistance and gas vouchers for families in need in Bradford County.
Lake Area Ministries — Rent & Utility Assistance
Provides rent and utility assistance for qualifying residents in Bradford and surrounding counties.
NFCAA — Weatherization Assistance
Free home weatherization: air infiltration testing, insulation repair, and HVAC improvements to reduce energy costs for qualifying households.
Florida LIHEAP State Office
Contact the state office for information about energy assistance programs in your county.
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Safety planning, shelter, and survivor support
Peaceful Paths Domestic Abuse Network
Serving Alachua, Bradford, and Union counties since 1974. 24-hour crisis helpline, emergency shelter, support groups, financial assistance, food & clothing pantries, legal team, and more. Advocates available 24/7 by phone or text.
Hubbard House
Domestic violence emergency shelter, safety planning, counseling, legal advocacy, and support services for survivors and children in Baker County and surrounding areas.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Free, confidential, 24/7 support. Safety planning, crisis intervention, and referrals to local resources.
Transportation
Public transit, medical transportation, and shuttle services
Baker County Council on Aging — Transportation
Door-to-door service (ambulatory & wheelchair). Daily trips in Baker, Duval, Columbia, and Alachua counties. In-county shopping trips every Tue & Thu. Wildcat Shuttle: Baker → Duval County, 3x daily M–F. Bobcat Shuttle: Baker → Columbia County, 2x daily M–F.
SREC Transportation Service Center
Public transportation for elderly and disadvantaged residents to doctors, medical facilities, meal sites, pharmacies, and shopping. Advance reservations required.
SREC Transportation — Bradford County
Public transportation for elderly and disadvantaged residents to medical appointments, meal sites, and shopping in Bradford County.
211 — Transportation Referrals
Dial 211 to find transportation options including medical transport, ride-share programs, and volunteer driver services.
Disability Services
Vocational rehabilitation, support services, and advocacy
Vocational Rehabilitation — Unit 7A (Bradford & Union)
Federal-state program helping individuals with disabilities find and maintain employment. Services include career counseling, job training, job placement, and assistive technology.
Vocational Rehabilitation — Unit 8G (Baker County)
Employment services for individuals with disabilities in Baker County — career planning, training, and job placement support.
Disability Rights Florida
Legal advocacy and protection for people with disabilities in Florida. Can assist with discrimination, access to services, and rights violations.
VR Ombudsman
Impartial service for VR customers with concerns about their services. Free and confidential.
Government Services
County offices, emergency management, and public services
Bradford County Clerk of Court
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller — Denny Thompson. Court records, marriage licenses, passport applications, and official records.
Bradford County Property Appraiser
Property records, exemptions (homestead, senior, disability), and property valuations.
Bradford County Tax Collector
Vehicle registration, driver's licenses, hunting/fishing licenses, property tax payments.
Bradford County Sheriff's Office
Law enforcement, animal services, and emergency management for Bradford County. Sheriff Gordon Smith.
Bradford County Emergency Management
Disaster preparedness, severe weather information, and emergency response coordination for Bradford County.
Union County Board of County Commissioners
County government offices, permits, and public services.
DCF Service Center — Baker County
Gateway Service Center handles DCF applications (SNAP, Medicaid, cash assistance) for Baker County residents.
DCF Service Center — Bradford & Union
16th Avenue Complex handles DCF applications for Bradford and Union county residents.
Library Services
Free access to books, internet, programs, and community resources
Emily Taber Public Library
Baker County's public library — books, public computers, internet access, children's programs, and community meeting space.
Bradford County Public Library
Full-service public library with books, digital resources, public computers, children's programming, and community events.
Mary C. Brown Public Library
Union County's public library — books, internet access, community programs, and digital resources.
New River Public Library Cooperative
Supporting and enhancing public library services across Baker, Bradford, and Union counties since 1996.
Need help finding services?
Dial 211 for free, confidential, 24/7 referrals to local resources including food, housing, healthcare, employment, and more.
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