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Sun City Center, Florida

Hillsborough County

Federal Nutrition: How to apply for SNAP and CSFP in state

How to Apply for SNAP in Florida
SNAP (food assistance) in Florida is administered by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) through the ACCESS Florida system. Applications are handled primarily online or by phone:

  • Online: Apply at myflfamilies.com/services/public-assistance (ACCESS Florida portal) — available 24/7 | https://myaccess.myflfamilies.com/
  • By Phone: Call the DCF customer call center at 1-850-300-4323 (TTY 1-800-955-8771)
  • In-Person Help (local): SouthShore Community Resource Center — 201 14th Ave SE, Ruskin
    • 📞 (813) 272-5220 (Hillsborough Social Services) | Mon–Fri 8am–5pm
    • The closest county hub to Sun City Center for help with public-assistance applications and benefit screening. (Hours can vary — call ahead, as the center has had intermittent closures.)

Seniors 60+ may qualify for Florida's Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP), which streamlines the process with less paperwork, longer certification periods (up to 36 months), and waived interviews for households where everyone is 60+ or disabled. Larger medical-expense deductions can also increase benefit amounts.

💡 CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program): Florida participates in CSFP, providing monthly USDA food boxes to low-income seniors 60+. In Hillsborough County, contact Feeding Tampa Bay at (813) 254-1190 to find your nearest CSFP distribution site.

💡 Free application help is also available through the food pantries below or dial 2-1-1 for the Tampa Bay Cares helpline.

State and Local Nutrition: Local meals on wheels, food pantries, community meals, etc.

Samaritan Services, Inc. — 1207 N Pebble Beach Blvd, Sun City Center
📞 (813) 634-9283 | https://sccsam.org/application/files/5316/8001/5811/Meals_On_Wheels.pdf
A beloved local volunteer organization serving Sun City Center seniors with help that often includes food assistance, errands, and support services alongside its well-known transportation program. A great first local call.

Saint Anne Food Pantry — 106 11th Avenue NE, Ruskin, FL
📞 (813) 645-1714 (St. Anne's Church) | Sat 8–11am | https://saintanneruskin.org/saint-anne-food-pantry/
A food pantry with friendly staff and generous food supplies. Drive-up service.

Community Cupboard — 1480 E College Ave, Ruskin
📞 (813) 641-7790 | Tue 7:30–10am | https://www.calvaryalive.org/CommunityCupboard
A long-running food pantry serving the SouthShore area. Drive-up distribution — arrive on time, as lines form early and they close promptly.

  • New registrations will be done on the 1st Monday of every month

Sun City Center United Methodist Church — 1971 Haverford Ave, Sun City Center
📞 (813) 634-2539 | Office Mon–Thu 8:30am–4pm
A church that hosts community programs and can connect seniors to food assistance and fellowship meals in the immediate Sun City Center area.

  • Mary Petro Foundation: One of the largest and yet one of the best-kept secrets in this community is the Mary Petro Foundation. Mary Petro was a community resident who passed away in 2009 leaving behind a $2.3 million trust to help her less fortunate neighbors. This money is specifically earmarked for residents with limited income who have difficulty paying for food or medications.
    • Residents who qualify for the program can get up to $100 a month for food and $1,500 a year for medication.
    • Mary Petro Office Hours: Tuesday or Thursday from 10AM - 2PM.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Food Pantry – 16650 US Highway 301 South, Wimauma, FL 33598

  • We are currently serving individuals in Balm, Wimauma, Ruskin, Apollo Beach, Riverview, Gibsonton, and Sun City Center, providing food to help people thrive.
  • We are located in front of the classroom building on the far right-hand corner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Migrant Mission Campus.
  • Our doors are open on Saturday morning between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. inside the Gate. Food is distributed until all these cars have received their food, which is about 10:30 a.m.

💡 Tip: Dial 2-1-1 for a complete, up-to-date list of community meals and pantries in the SouthShore/Ruskin/Wimauma area — church-based schedules change frequently.

Elder Care: Caregiver assistance, local area on aging, etc.

Sun City Center United Methodist Church — 1971 Haverford Ave, Sun City Center
📞 (813) 634-2539 | Office Mon–Thu 8:30am–4pm

  • Breakaway Respite: This ministry provides fellowship and stimulation for people who have memory loss due to Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, or stroke.
    • Trained professionals and volunteers provide supervision, lead activities, and serve a nutritious lunch.
    • Breakaway Hours: Monday and Wednesday 10:00AM - 2:00PM
    • https://www.sccumc.com/breakaway

West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging / Senior Connection Center — serving Hillsborough County
📞 Elder Helpline: 1-800-963-5337 or (813) 740-3888 | seniorconnectioncenter.org | Mon–Fri 8am–5pm
This is the official designated Area Agency on Aging for Sun City Center and all of Hillsborough County. The Elder Helpline is your single most important number — it connects seniors and caregivers to Older Americans Act programs: caregiver respite, in-home services, case management, the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care program, and waitlist screening. Call them first to begin any service.

Hillsborough County Aging Services
📞 (813) 272-5250 | https://hcfl.gov/departments/aging | Email: CCT-AgingServices@HCFL.gov
The county department coordinating senior programs, in-home services, adult day care, and the local congregate/home-delivered meal network.

Aging Care Advocates — 1450 Oakfield Dr, Brandon | https://www.agingcareadvocates.com/
📞 (813) 246-4120 | Mon–Fri 9am–5pm | Email: info@agingcareadvocates.com
A private geriatric care management firm. Their care managers navigate doctors, insurance, housing, and Medicaid/Medicare for families — especially valuable for out-of-town adult children managing a parent's care remotely.

OurCare Health of Sun City Center — 139 S Pebble Beach Blvd, #206, Sun City Center
📞 (813) 328-8050 | Open 24/7 | https://www.ourcarehealth.com/service-area/florida/home-care-in-sun-city-center/
A local in-home care agency. Praised for fast coordination, professional caregivers, and excellent communication during hospital transitions.

Helping Hands Seniors Florida — 1900 Clubhouse Dr, Sun City Center
📞 (813) 787-9200 | Open 24/7 | https://www.helpinghandsflorida.net/
A free senior-placement service. They help families find the right assisted living or memory care facility at no cost — invaluable when navigating a stressful placement decision.

Senior Helpers — 1311 Aston Gardens Ct, Sun City Center
📞 (813) 358-4213 | Open 24/7 | https://www.seniorhelpers.com/fl/sun-city/
A national in-home care brand with a Sun City Center office providing personal care, companionship, and specialized dementia/Alzheimer's care.

Samaritan’s Alzheimer's and Dementia Auxiliaries

💡 Key Statewide Resources:

  • Florida Elder Helpline: 1-800-963-5337 (master number for all aging services)
  • SHINE (free Medicare/Medicaid counseling): call the Elder Helpline and ask for SHINE
  • Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900
  • Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-888-831-0404

Transportation: Senior transportation

Samaritan Services, Inc. — 1207 N Pebble Beach Blvd, Sun City Center
📞 (813) 634-9283 | https://sccsam.org/
A cornerstone of Sun City Center life: a free, volunteer-run transportation service taking local seniors to medical appointments, shopping, and errands within the community. This is the single best transportation resource for SCC residents — call to learn the service area and how to schedule.

Sun City Center Emergency Squad — 720 Ray Watson Dr, Sun City Center
📞 (813) 634-1411 | Open 24/7 | https://sccems.com/services-2/
A remarkable all-volunteer organization providing free ambulance service AND free wheelchair-van transport to and from doctors' appointments and hospitals for residents within their coverage area. Confirm your address is within their service borders, then schedule non-emergency rides in advance.

  • Non-Emergency Phone Number: 813-633-1411
  • Medical Emergencies Only: 813-634-3800
  • Medical Van Wheelchair Transport: During normal business hours Medical Van Transport is available for wheelchair patients to doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, dialysis and, upon hospital discharge, to a nursing home or their residence in Sun City Center. Appointments must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
  • Wheelchair/Walker Loan Closet: The Squad maintains a closet with walkers, canes and wheelchairs that available to the community on loan. Each year the Squad does over 1000 loan transactions with residents, providing short-term loans of mobility equipment.

HARTPlus (Hillsborough Area Regional Transit paratransit)
📞 (813) 254-4278 | goHART.org
The county's ADA paratransit service for seniors and people with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route buses. Eligibility application and advance reservations required. HART also runs the HART Flex service in the SouthShore area.

Sunset Medical Transport — based in Wesley Chapel, serves the region
📞 (813) 629-6418 | Open 24/7 | https://sunsetmedtransport.com/
A wheelchair-accessible non-emergency medical transport. Drivers are praised as safe, professional, and compassionate — a strong private option for appointments beyond the volunteer services' range.

💡 Additional Tips:

  • Medicaid NEMT: If on Florida Medicaid, free rides to covered appointments may be available through your managed care plan — check your member card.
  • The Elder Helpline (1-800-963-5337) can connect seniors to additional subsidized transportation.
  • Many Sun City Center residents also use golf carts locally; the community is golf-cart accessible.

  • Veterans Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 (Veterans- press 1)
  • Adult Maltreatment Hotline: 800-482-8049
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
    • Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
  • Crisis Services & Suicide Prevention: Dial 988

Housing: Rental assistance, home cleaning and repair assistance, utility assistance, etc.

Hillsborough County Social Services — 3402 N 22nd St, Tampa (serves countywide); local intake via SouthShore Resource Center
📞 (813) 272-5220 | https://hcfl.gov/departments/social-services | Mon–Fri 8am–5pm
The county's primary agency for emergency rental assistance, mortgage help, and related crisis support for low-income residents and seniors.

SouthShore Community Resource Center — 201 14th Ave SE, Ruskin
📞 (813) 272-5220 | Mon–Fri 8am–5pm | https://hcfl.gov/locations/southshore-community-resource-center
The closest county service hub to Sun City Center for housing, utility, and assistance program intake.

💡 Utility Assistance (LIHEAP & EHEAP):

💡 Affordable Senior / Income-Based Apartment Communities (SouthShore area):

    • Irongate Apartments — 1820 Blair Castle Cir, Ruskin: community with planned activities and a community room; popular with seniors. Call (813) 645-8800.
    • Grove Pointe — 125 Laguna Oaks Pl, Ruskin: Call (888) 402-6247.

💡 Home Repair & Cleaning:

    • Hillsborough County Housing & Community Development administers minor home repair and weatherization for income-eligible seniors — call (813) 274-6600.
    • Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay: free critical home repairs for low-income senior and disabled homeowners — find current intake via 2-1-1.
    • For light housekeeping, the in-home care agencies listed in the Elder Care section (OurCare, Senior Helpers) provide homemaking services.

Enrichment: Senior centers, community activities, etc.

Sun City Center Community Association — 1009 N Pebble Beach Blvd, Sun City Center
📞 (813) 633-3500 | suncitycenter.org | Mon–Fri 8am–3pm
The heart of SCC's famously active retirement lifestyle. Membership unlocks a recreation center, pools, fitness facilities, and over 200 clubs and activities — from sports and arts to education and social groups. An unmatched enrichment resource for residents.

SCC Community Hall — 1910 S Pebble Beach Blvd, Sun City Center
📞 (813) 633-3500 | Open daily 7am–10pm
A community gathering and event venue hosting music, comedians, ceremonies, club fairs, and the CiCi's Grill cafe by the pool. The hub for live events and club showcases.

Atrium Building — N Course Ln, Sun City Center
A central activity building housing meeting rooms for the community's many clubs — well-maintained and welcoming, with bulletin boards listing current activities.

Ruskin Senior Center — 905 6th St SE, Ruskin
📞 (813) 672-1106 | Mon–Fri 8am–5pm | https://hcfl.gov/locations/ruskin-senior-center
A county senior center nearby with cards, dominoes, Wii bowling, karaoke, line dancing, and bingo (Tue & Thu), plus a quiet walking trail. Praised for an exceptional, caring staff.

Wimauma Senior Center — 16621 Lagoon Shore Blvd, Wimauma
📞 (813) 307-3320 | Mon–Fri 8am–5pm | https://hcfl.gov/locations/wimauma-senior-center
A nearby county senior center offering karaoke, bingo, creative art, an exercise room, evening dances, and gentler-paced activities for more fragile seniors.

Sun City Center Travel Club — 1910 S Pebble Beach Blvd, Room 2, Sun City Center
📞 (813) 634-2685 | Hours vary by day | https://suncitycentertravelclub.com/
A resident club organizing group trips and travel — a fun way to socialize and see new places.

💡 Additional Enrichment Resources:

  • SilverSneakers: Many Medicare Advantage plans include free gym/fitness access — check eligibility at silversneakers.com or (888) 423-4632.
  • AARP Florida: aarp.org/fl or 1-866-595-6222 for events, free AARP Tax-Aide, and fraud-prevention workshops.
  • OLLI at USF (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute): affordable noncredit courses for adults 50+ — usfsm.edu/olli.
  • Hillsborough County Public Library (SouthShore Regional, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin): free programs, tech classes, and digital resources — (813) 273-3652.
  • 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares: Dial 211 anytime for a live specialist to find current activities, support groups, and assistance.

 

Two of the best local first calls are Samaritan Services (813-634-9283) and the Sun City Center Emergency Squad (813-633-1411) for free transportation and support. Countywide, keep the Florida Elder Helpline (1-800-963-5337) and 2-1-1 handy for everything else.