OUR MISSION
OUR PEOPLE
Our staff, board, volunteers, and donors are passionate about our mission
and committed to providing food and the necessary resources
to the South Lake Community.
Patricia Kry
Chief Executive Officer
352-429-1200 x104
W. Scott Dau
Director of Operations
352-429-1200 x103
Beth Carr
Director of Development
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Sheila Jones
Client Services Manager
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To view our most up-to-date hours, directions, mailing address, and map, please visit our contact page.
First National Bank of Mount Dora
Marriot Vacation Club (Retired)
United Way Lake Sumter Counties
Falcon's Beyond
Chief - Groveland Fire Department
Orlando Health South Lake Hospital
Home Instead
Lab Hair Studio
AKRF, Inc
Office of Congressman Daniel Webster
Serenity Spa & Wellness
RE/MAX Titanium
Contagious Companies, Inc.
Our Impact
Individuals Served
*Meals Provided
Pounds of Food
*Meals calculated per USDA standard of 1.2lbs of food per meal
Updated January 1, 2024
We are the Heartbeat of Hope in South Lake County.
Our founders created a legacy that continues today and one we uphold with each client who finds the courage to ask for help. We value the humanity and dignity of every client; we acknowledge that asking for help is an act of great courage, and it should always be respected.
Each week, the Center assists 400 to 500 families from South Lake County, providing each with the resources they need to strengthen their lives and create a new future for their families.
The Heartbeat of Hope beats loudly.
In 1972, the following Six Women from the First United Methodist Church of Clermont created a food pantry for our neighbors in need. Their commitment to providing food for families and their love-filled hearts with hope.
Founder Dele Smythe’s three generations of Smythe women
Robin Smythe shares memories of all the Founders with video tribute
Volunteers are the foundation of a strong society. Caring for others, their actions, and their generosity helps their neighbors, serve their community, and contribute in immeasurable ways. No matter what kind of volunteer work they do, they give the best of themselves and change lives through their generosity.
The Neighborhood Center of South Lake’s mission is fulfilled in large part by dedicated and caring volunteers who charitably give their time and talent to help our neighbors in need! During 2023, our volunteers gave more than 16,000 volunteer hours to help provide food-insecure families with hope, and nutritious groceries.

Volunteers pick up and sort food, help clients with groceries, provide support services to the center and clients, and much more. Our volunteers are like family to us and each other; they are the Heartbeat of Hope for our clients, and you can be too.
-Denzel Washington
Learn more about our Volunteer Opportunities Here
TNC nourishes the South Lake community by providing anyone in need with the necessary resources to improve lives. We honor the dignity and diversity of each client, volunteer,
and community partner.
Phone: 352-429-1200
Client Services Hours
(Food Pantry):
Tuesday: 9am – 12pm
Wednesday: 9am – 12pm
Thursday: 1pm – 4pm
Friday: 9am – 12pm
NEW!!!
First Saturdays 9am – 12pm
(Open for client services on the first Saturday of each month. Beginning April 5, 2025 )
Sunday & Monday: Closed
Business Hours
(Donations):
Monday-Friday: 9am-4pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Thank you for contacting us. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
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Our refund policy allows for a refund of funds with a written request received before the 30th day after the donation is processed.
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR FAITH NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER, A FLORIDA-BASED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION (REGISTRATION NO. CH9889) MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE (WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM.) REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. PRIVACY POLICY