Immediate danger or medical emergency
Call 911Call 911. For routine needs, use the referrals below.
Official informationOCALA + MARION COUNTY · LOCAL HELP
You do not have to figure it out alone.
Food. A safe place. Someone to call. Start with what you need—not another signup form.
No signup. No donation. Just a useful next step.
Resource guide v12 · October 29, 2026. Public-source checks are dated; current availability still requires a call.
A phone call can be the first bridge.
Call a provider or download and print for a neighbor. You do not need a computer, a donation or a Connect Card to ask for help.
Download full help guide · 9 pagesPrint one-page phone listCall 211 · local referralsCall Interfaith · food and practical helpCall Marion Transit · ask about a ride
Immediate danger or a medical emergency? Call 911. Availability, fees and eligibility vary. Call before you travel.
Women seeking recovery support
His House for Her offers sober/supportive housing and outreach. Screening and fees apply. This is not an emergency domestic-violence shelter or detox placement.
Call His House for Her · 352-547-4817 Read the recovery resource detailsFor domestic-violence safety support, call CASA Marion · 352-722-2272.
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Call first. Eligibility, appointments, fees, funding and space can change. Sources checked October 28-29, 2026; no providers were called and current availability is not confirmed.
If you need help right now
Suicidal crisis or emotional distress
Call 988Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S.; online chat is also available.
Text 988 · Chat onlineOfficial information
Not sure where to start
Call 211Call 211 for free, confidential, 24/7 basic-needs referrals. It does not guarantee money, food or a shelter bed.
Official informationFind the right starting point
This is a curated guide, not every service in the county. Faith affiliation is not a statement of eligibility. Ask each provider about its requirements.
24 resources
LOCAL HELP / 01
Food and everyday essentials
Meals, groceries and clothing. Call first; availability is not guaranteed.
Food and clothing / Shelter and housing / Financial help and benefits / Medical care / Dental care / Mental health and recoveryInterfaith Emergency Services
Food, clothing, showers, case management, shelter and emergency assistance. See the IES counseling and clinic entry for healthcare.
Who it serves: Programs have separate intake requirements and locations.
Start here: Call the main office to ask which program and intake location fit your need.
Call 352-629-8868Call for the correct program location before visiting.
Official sources: Contact and locations Programs
Brother’s Keeper Emergency Services
Food, clothing and limited utility or medication assistance; other basic-needs help.
Who it serves: Assistance requires an in-person application and eligibility documents.
Start here: Call to confirm intake hours and what to bring, then apply in person.
Call 352-622-3846Soup kitchen: 352-789-8139
320 NW 10th Street, Ocala
Official sources: Emergency services Contact
Gateway to Hope Ministries
Drive-through food distribution on Saturdays and prepared lunch on Thursdays.
Who it serves: Check the published schedule; distribution depends on available food.
Start here: Visit the website for the current schedule before traveling. No phone is verified here.
St. Patrick Episcopal Church, 3803 NE 7th Street, Ocala, FL 34470
Official sources: Official schedule and location
Second Harvest Food Bank Food Finder
Find Marion County partner food pantries by ZIP code.
Who it serves: Each pantry sets its own hours and requirements. The warehouse is not an individual pickup site.
Start here: Search the Food Finder, then contact the chosen pantry before going.
Call 407-295-1066Official sources: Food Finder
Marion Senior Services
Home-delivered meals and other senior support.
Who it serves: Home-delivered meals serve frail, homebound adults age 60 or older. Assessment, fees or a waiting list may apply.
Start here: Call and ask for a Community Resource Specialist.
Call 352-620-35011101 SW 20th Court, Ocala, FL 34471
Official sources: Nutrition programs
Salvation Army Ocala Center of Hope
Homelessness services and food assistance.
Who it serves: Intake requirements, shelter rules and available space must be confirmed.
Start here: Call about intake and bed availability before going.
Call 352-732-8326320 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475
Official sources: Ocala Center of Hope
LOCAL HELP / 02
Safety and a place to stay
Different situations. Different doors. Call first; availability is not guaranteed.
CASA Marion
Domestic violence safety planning, advocacy and emergency shelter.
Who it serves: People experiencing domestic violence. Shelter location is confidential.
Start here: Call an advocate on the 24-hour hotline. In immediate danger, call 911.
Call 352-722-2272Official sources: Get help
Open Arms Village
Housing and support for men, with counseling and recovery support.
Who it serves: A drug-free environment and program commitment are required; screening applies.
Start here: Call to ask about the application process and openings. This is not a promised emergency walk-in bed.
Call 352-304-62291839 NE 8th Road, Ocala, FL 34470
Official sources: Programs and contact
Project Hope
Transitional and supportive housing for women with children.
Who it serves: Women with children; screening and program requirements apply.
Start here: Call about eligibility, the application process and current availability.
Call 352-624-4673830 NE 28th Street, Unit 201, Ocala
Official sources: Programs and contact
Arnette House
24-hour emergency youth shelter; family and youth counseling.
Who it serves: Shelter serves ages 10–17. Counseling serves children ages 6–17 and families.
Start here: Call for an assessment and guidance on the right program.
Call 352-622-61352310 NE 24th Street, Ocala, FL 34470
Official sources: Our services
Ocala Housing Authority
Subsidized housing programs and housing counseling; not an emergency shelter.
Who it serves: Public housing and Housing Choice Voucher waiting lists were closed when checked October 28, 2026.
Start here: Call or check the website for current waiting-list status and counseling options.
Call 352-369-26361629 NW 4th Street, Ocala, FL 34475
Official sources: Programs and waiting lists
LOCAL HELP / 03
Health and recovery
Medical, dental, counseling and recovery. Call first; availability is not guaranteed.
Heart of Florida Health Center
Primary medical, dental, behavioral health and other health services at multiple locations.
Who it serves: Serves insured and uninsured patients; sliding-fee eligibility is assessed.
Start here: Call for an appointment and the correct location for your service.
Call 352-732-6599Main: 2553 E Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala, FL 34470
Official sources: Contact and locations
FreeD.O.M. Clinic USA
Mobile free dental, optical and medical services.
Who it serves: For uninsured or underinsured Marion County residents; screening applies.
Start here: Call or submit the website’s Get Started form for screening and the next service location. Not a daily walk-in clinic.
Call 352-421-5510Office: 1056 SW 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
Official sources: Get started and contact
La Guadalupana Medical and Dental Clinic
Medical care and basic dental care when available.
Who it serves: Uninsured Marion residents with income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. Some labs or procedures may cost extra.
Start here: Call and leave a message for eligibility screening and an appointment; ask about dental availability.
Call 352-509-699611185 West Highway 40, Ocala, FL 34482
Official sources: Clinic information
Florida Department of Health Marion Dental
Dental services for children and adults.
Who it serves: Ask about Medicaid, uninsured sliding-fee eligibility and accepted coverage.
Start here: Call before traveling: the clinic is moving from Belleview. The posted new Ocala location is planned for November 2, 2026.
Call 352-622-2664Planned new location: 1801 SE 32nd Avenue, Ocala
Location changing: a move to Ocala is posted for November 2, 2026, while the official page retains an older Belleview listing. Call before traveling.
Official sources: Dental clinic and move notice
Interfaith Emergency Services Counseling & Clinics
Free mental-health counseling for uninsured clients, subject to therapist capacity. IES also connects clients to free medical, dental and vision services through clinic partners.
Who it serves: Counseling and clinic access depend on eligibility, appointments, staffing and availability.
Start here: For counseling or Hope Clinic medical appointments, call IES. For FreeD.O.M. dental or vision scheduling, use freedomclinicusa.org. Ask for current dates and location; do not assume a monthly walk-in schedule.
Call 352-629-8868Center for Life: 108 N Pine Avenue, Ocala. Confirm your service location first.
Official sources: IES counseling and clinic partners FreeD.O.M. scheduling
Shelter and housing / Mental health and recoveryHis House for Her
Christian sober/supportive housing for adult women in recovery, plus community outreach classes, recovery groups and support.
Who it serves: Residential screening and fees apply. Outreach is available to nonresidents; books may cost extra. Some support requires active class or group participation.
Start here: Call about admission, current fees, openings or outreach. This is a recovery program, not a guaranteed emergency shelter or detox placement. For immediate domestic-violence safety help, use CASA above.
Call 352-547-4817info@hishouseforher.org
Official sources: Services and contact
Meridian Healthcare
Mental-health and substance-use therapy, assessment and counseling, including telehealth.
Who it serves: Telehealth is for Florida residents and requires Florida-issued identification. Ask about intake, fees and coverage.
Start here: Call to ask which service and location fit your needs.
Call 352-374-5600Official sources: Official service information
LOCAL HELP / 04
Bills, benefits and work
Practical help for the next step. Call first; availability is not guaranteed.
Central Florida Community Action Agency
LIHEAP energy assistance, self-sufficiency support and weatherization programs.
Who it serves: Income and program eligibility apply; funding is limited.
Start here: Call the Marion office about appointments, required documents and the right program.
Call 352-732-3008Marion office: 2703 NE 14th Street, Ocala, FL 34470
Official sources: Local contact Programs
Florida DCF MyACCESS
Apply for SNAP, Temporary Cash Assistance or Medicaid, or check benefit status.
Who it serves: Each public-assistance program has its own eligibility rules.
Start here: Use the official public-assistance page to reach MyACCESS, or call for help.
Call 850-300-4323Official sources: Public assistance and MyACCESS
Community Legal Services
Civil legal aid, including housing and public-benefits issues.
Who it serves: Income, case type and other screening rules apply. Representation is not guaranteed.
Start here: Call the helpline or use the online prescreen. The Ocala office is by appointment.
Call 800-405-1417Ocala office: 352-629-0105
Ocala office: 1610 SE 36th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
Official sources: Contact and prescreen
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion
Job-search computers, resume help, workshops and training information.
Who it serves: Ask which services fit your situation; a referral is not a job offer.
Start here: Call the Marion career center to plan your first visit.
Call 352-840-57002703 NE 14th Street, Ocala
Official sources: Official service information
LOCAL HELP / 05
Help for veterans
Benefits and a person who can explain them. Call first; availability is not guaranteed.
Marion County Veterans Services
Help applying for VA benefits, including health care, education, pensions and compensation.
Who it serves: Eligibility depends on the benefit; this office helps explain the process.
Start here: Call for an appointment and confirm the current office location.
Call 352-671-8422Official sources: Official service information
LOCAL HELP / 06
A way to get there
Ask about eligibility, fares and booking. Call first; availability is not guaranteed.
Marion Transit
Public origin-to-destination transportation.
Who it serves: Ask about eligibility, fares, accessibility and advance reservation rules.
Start here: Call an operator to arrange or cancel a ride. The website contact form does not reserve rides.
Call 352-620-30711101 SW 20th Court, Ocala
Official sources: Official service information
No matching resources. Try a broader word or choose “All needs.” You can also call 211 for referrals.
Want to help a neighbor?
Build a bridge. Bring a friend.
Someone nearby could use your time, treasure or talent. Meet the ministries serving our community and explore where you might fit.
Explore local ministriesLooking for help? Keep using the contacts above. No volunteer signup is required.
Bridge Builder provides connections, not emergency response or guaranteed assistance. No appointment, funding, treatment or shelter placement is promised.
Make the first call count
Tell the provider what you need and whether you have a ride. Ask these four questions before traveling:
- Am I eligible, and is help available now?
- Which location should I use, and do I need an appointment?
- What documents or costs should I prepare for?
- If this is not the right program, who should I call next?