Our Story
The Poverello Center, Inc. was originally founded in 1987 by Father Bill Collins (1931-2017) and his dedicated group of volunteers. At the time, the goal was to “operate a nonprofit clinic,” feed, and sometimes house people who were dying alone and rejected by society in large numbers with complications from AIDS. The crisis was so devastating, and Father Bill performed so many last rites, that he began to keep a “book of names” so that the community would not forget how many died and who they were. Today, Poverello continues by helping the poor and sick to “eat well.” We now provide food as medicine to people with Cardiac and Kidney problems as well as those with glycemic disorders, Cancer or other Critical/Chronic illnesses. Each year nearly 5000 South Floridians needing support come to the Poverello Center, Inc. to select medically appropriate grocery items from our specialized menus and receive key nutritional information from our nutritionist.
As the best consumer choice, medically tailored, and volunteer-fueled grocery pantry in the country, Poverello also makes available without charge, medical nutrition therapy, wellness services, and linkage into care services for people who have fallen out of primary medical care.
At our Live Well Center, Any program participant of the Eat Well Center or Be Well Programming may access our full-service gym, chiropractic services, acupuncture or massage free of charge. The idea is to provide a safe, accepting place for people to receive support and complementary health services. People who have clothing or household item needs and receive services from us are provided for from items donated by the community to our thrift store. Check us out on YouTube.
Eat Well Center program in 2022 received a quality award from Ryan White Part A for the highest retention in medical rates among support services providers. We also received a Harkin on Wellness designation for our Pop Up Eat Well Program.
If you need assistance and you have not been to Poverello in the past year, email: Intake@poverello.org
If you need assistance with our online ordering system, call 954-561-3663 or watch our online tutorials in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.
THRIFT STORE HOURS –
10:00 AM until 6:00 PM Daily
FOOD PANTRY HOURS –
Mondays 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesdays 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesdays 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursdays 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fridays 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturdays 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sundays Closed
LIVE WELL CENTER HOURS –
Mondays through Fridays 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM