Assistance Programs

Food Pantry Assistance

Caring & Sharing provide clients access to our drive-thru food pantry twice per month on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00am - 2:00pm. Clients are asked to come to 112 Lynn Drive during that time to receive assistance. If a client is unable to make it to our office during that time frame, they may designate someone to pick up on their behalf on their initial/annual paperwork (new TEFAP eligibility forms must be signed every July 1) or stop by our side parking lot to access our Little Free Food Pantry.

• Caring & Sharing provides a variety of food items each visit;

• Clients can receive food twice per month; and

• We may also be able to provide diapers, wipes, baby food, adult diapers, various hygiene products upon request.

Rent, Utility & Prescription Assistance

Caring & Sharing provides financial support to help with past due rent, utilities, and prescriptions. Clients can receive financial support no more than twice per year (once for rent), however, requests are evaluated on a case by case basis and household limits may apply.  The amount of assistance available to a particular household per year may decrease after the first year. The purpose of this assistance is to help individuals and families avoid homelessness or loss of water/power in the event of a crisis, not to provide ongoing financial support. Proof of household income is required.

If you need assistance with past due utilities, please bring a copy of the bill with you:

• Past due bills must be in your name or the name of a member living in your household, as documented on your New Client Form. Caring & Sharing will only pay bills that are marked as past due or that show a disconnect date.

• If you need assistance with past due rent, please bring a copy of your current lease agreement or mortgage statement and fill out the attached rental assistance application;

• Please note that rental assistance applications take 2-3 business days to process.

• Landlords must be willing to verify their identity, accept 3rd party checks, and provide a current-year W-9.

• If you need prescription assistance, please bring an invoice from the pharmacy showing the total amount due:

• Please note that Caring & Sharing cannot provide assistance for controlled substances, such as painkillers;

• Caring & Sharing makes all checks payable to vendors or property owners, not clients.

Clothing Assistance & Thrift Store Vouchers

Caring & Sharing of South Walton is able to provide vouchers to our Thrift Store allowing clients to purchase clothing and essential household items for those transitioning from homelessness to housing. Clothing vouchers are available once per quarter during assistance hours on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Laundry vouchers are available upon request for use at Klean Wash Laundry Services (5008 US-98 Ste 7, Santa Rosa Beach) for clients who do not otherwise have access to a washer/dryer. If you need assistance with furniture or other essential household items, please ask.

Counseling & Case Management

Caring & Sharing of South Walton seeks to provide case management services to all clients seeking financial assistance, through needs assessment, budgeting, goal setting, problem-solving, and referrals to community resources. Case managers may also be able to assist clients with benefits applications and the replacement of proof of identity documents. Caring and Sharing of South Walton employs a licensed clinical social worker intern who is able to provide clients with counseling (up to 8 sessions) by appointment free of charge. We also have financial assistance (up to 8 sessions at $75 per session) available for clients seeking mental health services from another provider. For counseling services or referrals, please fill out the attached counseling assistance application and provide proof of income.

Coordinated Entry for Homeless

Caring & Sharing of South Walton serves as an intake point for homeless individuals or families for the Homeless and Housing Alliance of Walton and Okaloosa Counties on MWF 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. or by appointment.  We work with homeless clients to enter their information into a shared database (See Privacy Notice below), assess their needs, and connect them to community resources. Sometimes these resources include funding for rapid rehousing (first month’s rent, security deposits and utility deposits) or emergency shelter.  We also have “no cook” food bags and hygiene supplies on hand, and can sometimes supply other items such as a back pack or sleeping bag. Case managers may be able to help unsheltered clients obtain replacement identity documents or alert them to available cold weather emergency sheltering options. Unfortunately there is currently no 24/7 emergency shelter in Walton County, and Caring and Sharing of South Walton is not able to provide hotel vouchers.