ECHO of Brandon (Emergency Care Help Organization)

Who Can Visit?

This food pantry serves residents in a specific zip code area. The Brandon Resource Center at 507 N Parsons Ave serves neighbors living in these zip codes: 33510, 33511, 33527, 33584, 33592, 33594, 33596, and 33610. This includes the Brandon, Dover, Lithia, Mango, Seffner, Tampa 33610 area, Thonotosassa, and Valrico communities. ECHO is here for emergency situations, so visits are meant for neighbors facing a crisis.

Items Needed for Registration

You'll need to bring these documents when you visit:

• Current photo ID (a driver's license is preferred)
• Original Social Security card for each family member receiving assistance (or birth certificate)
• Current proof of address dated or received within the last 30 days, such as a utility bill, mail addressed to you, a copy of a current lease signed within the past 30 days, a rent receipt, or a notarized letter with corresponding mailed documentation

Each person's situation is reviewed individually, and services are provided based on eligibility and available resources.

How Often You Can Visit?

Visits must be at least four months apart from your previous visit. Homeless neighbors may visit once per month if needed. Neighbors who are currently participating in the Back2Work program or workshops are eligible for monthly food and clothing assistance.

Good to Know

ECHO shares a parking lot with a health clinic, so parking can be limited. It's a good idea to arrive early, especially for Tuesday evening hours, as the number of people seen may be limited. Call ahead at (813) 685-0935 before making the trip to confirm what to expect.

Food & Essentials

Neighbors can choose their own food items, including bread, eggs, meat, and extra items when available. The pantry also provides nutritious food suited to your family's needs. Reviewers mention a variety of items including bread, eggs, and meat, and noted that you shop with a card and cart that shows how many items you can take from each shelf.

The ECHO Clothing Room provides each neighbor with five outfits and one pair of shoes. Children receive two new pairs of socks and underwear or diapers. Socks and undergarments for adults are also available when in stock. Clothes described by visitors as almost new and gently used. Other household items like toys, sheets, towels, and laundry detergent may also be available.

How to Pick Up

Walk-in service is available during open hours. You shop for your own food and clothing, choosing the items that fit your family's needs. The pantry uses a cart and card system that tells you how many items you can take from each shelf.

Additional Support

ECHO offers several programs to help neighbors get back on their feet:

• Back2Work: Free one-on-one job coaching to help with resumes, job searching, and interview skills. Funded by Hillsborough County and Bank of America. Register at echofl.org/back2work.
• Workshops: Classes on budgeting, sewing, couponing, starting a business, selling online, and more. Sign up to be notified of upcoming classes at echofl.org/our-workshops.
• Advocacy Program: Connects neighbors with local community resources for financial, housing, and other hardships. Walk-in intake is available Monday through Wednesday at 9:00 AM (both locations). Unhoused neighbors can access specific hours at the Brandon location on Monday and Tuesday at 9:00 AM. Intakes are limited and available first-come, first-served.
• Holiday Support: During the holiday season, neighbors living in motels or hotels in the service area receive a hot Thanksgiving meal and a blessing bag.

Ways to Give

ECHO welcomes several types of support:

• Financial donations: General, undesignated gifts are accepted year-round at echofl.org/give-today.
• Monthly giving: Impact Donors give monthly. Email myriam@echofl.org for more information.
• Amazon Wish List: Purchase items directly from their wish list to help stock essentials.
• ECHO Online Store: Shopping from the ECHO store supports the mission.
• Non-perishable food donations: Drop off non-perishable food items to help families in need.
• Clothing donations: Donated clothes go to the resource centers for neighbors in need.
• Gift of stocks or legacy planned giving: Contact myriam@echofl.org for details.
• Event sponsorship: ECHO hosts two major fundraising events each year, the ECHO at the Derby and the ECHO Empower Breakfast.

How to Join the Team?

ECHO is looking for dedicated volunteers who can commit to a weekly schedule. Volunteer roles include:

• Food Pantry: Greet neighbors, help them shop, weigh food, stock shelves, and repackage bulk items. One morning per weekday, 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Some heavy lifting required.
• Clothing Room: Help neighbors shop for clothing, pack and restock items. One morning per weekday, 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
• Welcome Center: Work one-on-one with neighbors to provide resources and help with paperwork. Computer skills required, plus willingness to complete a background check and additional training.
• Back to Work Job Coach Assistant: Help job coaches with data entry, research, and neighbor follow-up. One to five weekdays, three to four hours per day starting at 9 or 10 AM.
• Truck Driver: Pick up donations between stores and ECHO facilities. One morning per weekday, three to four hours starting at 8:00 or 8:30 AM.
• Advocacy Resource Navigator: Help neighbors access local community resources. One morning per weekday, 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
• Community Gardener: Seasonal role from October through June. Second Saturday of the month, 8 AM to 10 AM at 1017 Kingsway Rd, Brandon FL 33510.

Groups including congregations, civic groups, schools, and businesses are welcome to volunteer. Student volunteers who need Bright Futures Scholarship hours may apply their time at ECHO. Students age 16 and older may serve at the resource centers; students age 15 and older may serve at the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

ECHO is unable to accommodate court-ordered or recommended community service hours.

To get started, fill out the volunteer form at echofl.org/volunteer-form or contact Volunteer Coordinator Debbie Smith at (813) 685-0935 ext. 8010 or volunteercoordinator@echofl.org.