The Power of Choice: How Our Food Pantry is Restoring Dignity
How can a bag of groceries restore someone’s sense of control and hope?
At Showering Love, we believe that meeting basic needs goes beyond providing food, clothing, and shelter. It’s about restoring dignity, empowering individuals, and offering hope. One of the simplest yet most profound ways we do this is through our food pantry—but ours operates a little differently than most.
A Different Kind of Pantry
Unlike many traditional food pantries that hand out pre-packed bags or boxes, Showering Love’s food pantry functions like a general store. We accept referrals and give appointments so guests can come in, browse, and pick out the items they actually want and need. This small act of choice sets us apart, but more importantly, it uplifts those we serve.
When someone is experiencing homelessness or food insecurity, choice is often the first thing to go. You take what you can get or what’s handed to you, without much say in the matter. Our pantry changes that. By giving our guests the ability to select their own food, we’re not just filling their cupboards—we’re giving them back a sense of control, autonomy, and dignity.
Some of our fabulous volunteers at the pantry!
Why Choice Matters
As our founder often says, “When you’re homeless, you don’t really get to choose what you receive. You get what you can, or what’s given.” This reality can strip away a person’s sense of agency and self-worth. But by offering the simple freedom to choose between pasta or rice, canned beans or peanut butter, we’re giving people something they’ve been missing for too long: the power to make decisions for themselves.
Choice isn’t just about preference—it’s about health and well-being too. Many people have dietary restrictions or allergies. Imagine being handed food that you can’t eat or that makes you feel sick. Wouldn’t you want to pick out what makes you feel good? What nourishes your body? Or even just what makes you happy?
Even when food is offered with love and gratitude, it can become tiring to eat the same thing every day. Imagine being given McDonald's every day. Our CEO, Jeanne, knows this firsthand. She doesn’t even eat fast food anymore—not even french fries—because that’s what she was given or could afford during her time of homelessness. While any meal is appreciated, having the ability to choose something different brings back a sense of normalcy and joy.
At Showering Love, we want people to see themselves as valuable, deserving of care and respect. We want our guests to know that they matter. By addressing their wants and needs, we’re not just meeting basic necessities—we’re lifting them up, empowering them to make more choices in their lives that will lead to better outcomes. Their current situation doesn’t have to be their final destination if they don’t want it to be. There is hope, care, and love out there for them, and we want them to see that in themselves.
This small gesture has a big impact. It shows our guests that their preferences matter, that they deserve to be treated with respect, and that they’re more than just recipients of charity—they’re individuals with unique needs and tastes.
How You Can Help
We’re always in need of food donations to keep our pantry shelves stocked with nutritious, versatile items.
If you’re out shopping and come across a great BOGO deal, consider donating your extra items to Showering Love. Here’s what we need most:
Dried pasta (spaghetti, penne, macaroni)
Uncooked rice, seasoned rice, or rice and beans mix
Quinoa, couscous
Egg noodles or other specialty noodles
Oatmeal (instant or rolled)
Cornmeal or grits
Pancake mix (just add water type preferred)
Instant or boxed potatoes (scalloped, au gratin)
Instant stuffing mix
Canned and Shelf-Stable Proteins:
Canned chicken, ham, or tuna
Canned beans (black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas)
Peanut butter or other nut butters
Dry beans (pinto, navy, red beans, lentils, split peas)
Cooking Essentials:
Cooking oil (vegetable, olive, or canola)
All-purpose or bread flour
Cornstarch
Baking powder and baking soda
Sugar (white, brown, or powdered)
Salt and pepper
Vinegar (white, apple cider, balsamic)
Dry spices and seasoning mixes
Bouillon cubes or powder
Tomato paste or diced tomatoes
Canned or jarred sauces (e.g., curry, tomato, alfredo)
Shelf-stable milk (e.g., evaporated milk, plant-based milk)
Dried soup mixes (split pea, lentil, chicken noodle)
Yeast packets (for bread baking)
Breakfast cereal
Bonus: While we focus on non-perishables, we do have a deep freezer for items like meat (no produce, please). We also accept bathroom and shower items like 3-in-1 shampoo/conditioner for our mobile shower bus!
Drop-Off Details:
📍 Showering Love Location: 4157 SW 54th Ave., Davie, FL 33314
🗓 Drop-Off Times: Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM
Need a different time? No problem! We’re happy to work around your schedule. Just call or text us to coordinate!
Need Help?
Our food pantry is open every Saturday from 9 AM - 12 PM BY APPOINTMENT. Call us ahead of time to schedule your visit.
Together, We’re Restoring Dignity At Showering Love, it’s not just about providing food or shelter—it’s about restoring dignity, offering hope, and empowering individuals to reclaim their lives. By supporting our food pantry, you’re not just filling empty shelves—you’re filling hearts with hope and helping to build a stronger, more compassionate community.
Thank you for being a part of this journey.
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Together, We’re Restoring Dignity
At Showering Love, it’s not just about providing food or shelter—it’s about restoring dignity, offering hope, and empowering individuals to reclaim their lives. By supporting our food pantry, you’re not just filling empty shelves—you’re filling hearts with hope and helping to build a stronger, more compassionate community.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. ❤️
