8 Orlando Nonprofits Serving the Homeless and Families in Need

As the holiday season approaches, many Central Floridians look for meaningful ways to give back. Hunger and homelessness continue to impact thousands of families and individuals in our region, but Orlando is also home to organizations working tirelessly to meet those needs with dignity, compassion and support.

From my own experience, I first volunteered with Matthew’s Hope in 2010 and later joined its board. I was drawn in by their commitment to offering a hand up instead of a handout. Just this month, I also met Brad Butterstein from the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida who set me up with tour of the facility. It reminded me just how many nonprofits in our community are creating real pathways toward stability for those in need.

Whether you're looking to donate, volunteer or simply learn more about the work happening in our backyard, here are eight organizations making a significant impact across Central Florida.

Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida

Mission: “Our mission is to transform the lives of men, women and children by providing crucial programs and services to end their crisis of homelessness.”

Website: centralfloridahomeless.org

The Coalition provides emergency shelter, meals and supportive programs that help individuals and families move beyond homelessness toward long-term stability.

Covenant House Florida

Mission: “Covenant House Florida’s mission is to serve young people ages 18–24 with absolute respect and unconditional love, to help young people experiencing homelessness, and to protect and safeguard all young people in need.”

Website: covenanthousefl.org

Covenant House offers safe shelter, counseling, education support and trauma-informed care to young adults experiencing homelessness.

Matthew’s Hope Ministries

Mission: “Matthew’s Hope Ministries empowers individuals experiencing homelessness by providing compassionate, faith-driven support and connecting them to resources that foster dignity, independence, and lasting self-sufficiency.”

Website: matthewshopeministries.org

Located in Winter Garden and Cocoa, Matthew’s Hope focuses on relationship-based outreach that helps individuals achieve independence through services, work programs and personalized care.

One Heart for Women and Children

Mission: “One Heart for Women and Children’s mission is to ensure that no one in Central Florida faces hunger alone by providing fresh, nutritious food, essential resources and compassionate support. We strengthen our community through volunteer engagement, disaster response and partnerships that foster dignity, hope and lasting positive change for individuals and families in need.”

Website: helponeheart.org

One Heart operates a major food pantry and community hub, distributing millions of meals each year and offering support services for families facing food insecurity.

Orlando Union Rescue Mission

Mission: “The Orlando Union Rescue Mission provides more than just relief—we equip the homeless for long-term independence and self-sufficiency built on a personal relationship with Christ. We are more than a homeless shelter. Our life-transforming services are designed to address every area of need (physical, emotional, social, and spiritual) so those who were once hungry, hurting, and homeless can become filled, restored, and secure.”

Website: ourm.org

The Mission provides residential programs, meals, job training and faith centered services that help people rebuild their lives from the inside out.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

Mission: “To create hope and nourish lives through a powerful hunger relief network, while multiplying the generosity of a caring community.”

Website: feedhopenow.org

Second Harvest distributes millions of pounds of food annually through a broad network of partner agencies while also offering workforce training in the culinary field.

The Sharing Center

Mission: “To provide dignified solutions for those experiencing poverty and homelessness in Central Florida.”

Website: thesharingcenter.org

Based in Seminole County, The Sharing Center provides groceries, financial assistance, a thrift store and wraparound services for families working to regain stability.

United Against Poverty

Mission: “To serve families and individuals by providing crisis care, case management, transformative education, food and household subsidy, employment training and placement, personal empowerment training and active referrals to other collaborative social service providers.”

Website: uporlando.org

UP Orlando supports families through programs that address immediate needs while building the skills and opportunities required for long-term economic mobility.

Community Voices

Community leaders across Central Florida shared with The Orlando Life the impact these nonprofits are making. Caleb Paull of The VIP Co. said it’s been inspiring to see “the kind of leadership they model in our community,” reflecting on his work with United Against Poverty and Second Harvest.

Eryn Vargo of orlandomom.com, who has worked with Second Harvest, The Sharing Center and the Coalition for the Homeless, echoed that sentiment, noting that these organizations “offer the community numerous ways to get involved and support the less fortunate,” from packaging food to hosting drives.

Ryan Young of Interstruct Design + Build highlighted the role Second Harvest plays in fueling local outreach efforts, saying, “Second Harvest Food Bank continues to be an invaluable partner to The Desire Foundation, consistently providing fresh, healthy food and vegetables that fuel our Project 814 events and help feed families in the Parramore community, directly supporting our mission to nourish those we serve.”

Clayton Louis Ferrara of IDEAS For Us, who has partnered with One Heart for more than a decade, added that this work becomes especially important during the holidays, when “vulnerable children need stability and kindness the most.”

Together, these voices reflect a community committed to lifting others up and strengthening the fabric of Central Florida.

How to Get Involved

Every organization on this list relies on volunteers, donations and community partnerships to carry out its mission. Whether you give financially, lend your skills or simply show up to serve, your involvement directly helps Central Florida families who need support.

Orlando is a city built on generosity. This season, consider partnering with one of these nonprofits to help ensure every neighbor has access to food, shelter and a path forward.