How to access financial help, mental health resources in Clay County

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — Several nonprofits in Clay County are trying to bridge the gap to reach their neighbors who could use their help.

Several nonprofits in Clay County are trying to bridge the gap to reach their neighbors who could use their help.

Tiffany, who lives in Clay County, is a mother of six. “It’s always a big need with kids,” she said.

She sometimes worries about making ends meet.

“My husband and I try to work extra when we can,” she said.

Even buying essential items can seem difficult.

“I’ve noticed prices on stuff’s gone up quite significantly, especially on food,” she said.

In Clay County, the Lake Area Ministries Food Pantry has seen a 46% increase in people needing food.

Meanwhile, the nonprofit Answers, which helps connect people to resources, has seen its clients jump from 30 to more than 160 a month.

The top three needs the group is seeing are: housing (52.9%), utility assistance (11.9%), and connections to mental health care (7.1%).

”A lot of people [are] losing their jobs, so it’s almost more than doubled out here in Keystone,” said Amy Houston, the Director of the Clay County Rescue Mission.

The church Mission of the Dirt Road brought several different nonprofits together on Saturday to reach more people at once.

”For women, we’ve got make-up, we’ve got clothing, we’ve got many resources out here,” Houston said.

There were more than 20 vendors there. If you live in Clay County, you can still access all of those resources even if you couldn’t make Saturday’s event — they’re only a phone call or a click away.

All these groups are collaborating to connect people with the support they need.”We wanna make it easy for you,” Houston said. “And we wanna give you that point of contact or actually reach out to that point of contact for you.”

Tiffany picked up some items for her family, and she’s grateful for the helping hand.”Feels pretty good,” Tiffany said.

Here is a full link of those different organizations and contact information:

  • Mission of the Dirt Road
    • Description: A church hosting neighborhood events; distributing food and hygiene/cleaning supplies during the pandemic; hosting educational presentations; offering free coffee and WiFi a couple of times each week; and partnering with other local agencies like Lake Area Ministries, Answers Resource Facility, local schools, and the health department.
    • Website: https://missionofthedirtroad.com/
    • Phone number: 1-601-568-3473
  • Answers Resource Facility
    • Description: Answers Resource Facility is a fully operational non-profit organization that has been serving women and families in the Lake Area region since 2011.
    • Website: Findanswersnow.org
    • Phone number: 352-473-100
    • Email: shannon@findanswersnow.org
  • United Healthcare
    • Description: In the United States, UnitedHealthcare offers health benefit programs for all ages and lifestyles. This includes individuals, employers, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
    • Website: https://www.uhc.com/
    • Email: donneria_kaymore@uhc.com
  • Elite insurance
  • Montgomery Presbytarian Conference Center
  • Seeds of Love Ministry
  • Mercy
    • Description: Per its website, Mercy Auto “will provide access to high-quality, inspected, affordable, reliable transportation with a goal of increased access to anyone pursuing self-sustainability.”
    • Website: https://mercyauto.com/
    • Email: info@mercyauto.com
  • Cricket Website
    • Description: Cricket Wireless Authorized Retailer. Locations in Bronson, High Springs, Kanapaha/Gainesville, Jonesville and Old Town, Florida.
    • Email: admin@kaiaventures.com