2025 Share the Plate Organizations
The mission of the First Unitarian Church of Orlando (1U) includes a call to “compassionate service to the community.” Our Share the Plate program is one of the ways we live our mission and Unitarian Universalist values, sharing our abundance with local organizations or community partners whose goals and values mirror our own.
Each year, First Unitarian Church of Orlando selects a variety of nonprofit organizations serving our community to support financially. The local organizations are nominated by 1U members and voted on by the congregation for each calendar year. Ideally, this will allow the congregation to build stronger relationships with each organization, amplifying our values of generosity, interdependence and justice.
In 2025, SIX organizations were selected and each will be supported for two months. They’ll receive the full offering on the first Sunday of each month, along with any additional donations that members and friends designate for them.The first month, we’ll invite someone from the organization to speak. The second month, a 1U host will speak about their experiences with the group, and invite others to get involved. The goal is to build deeper relationships with these important community organizations.
Nominations for 2026 Share the Plate recipients will be requested in October or November 2025. Perhaps you are involved with a 501(C)(3) organization in our community that shares our UU values in their work. Consider hosting them as a Share a Plate recipient!
The following lists the organizations the congregation selected for 2025. For more information, please contact the Host listed or the Serving the Community Team at servingthecommunity@orlandouu.org, and visit each group’s website by clicking on their name.
March/April 2025
Organization: Zebra Youth Host: 1U Youth Group, facilitated by Richard C.
Zebra Coalition® is a network of organizations that provide services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and all youth (LGBTQ+) ages 13 – 24.
Zebra Youth serves LGBTQ+ youth ages 13–24 facing homelessness, bullying, isolation from their families, and physical, sexual, and drug abuse, guiding them to recovery and stability. Just recently, the organization was able to expand so they can shelter more youth.
A member of 1U’s Youth Group spoke on Sunday about how important Zebra Youth can be for young people who are searching for their paths in life, often with limited family support or assistance.
- 1U Website: Click HERE or click on DONATE in the upper right-hand section of the 1U website’s home page and follow the directions. Type “Share the Plate” in the space to the right of the donation amount.
- Check: Write a check made out to First Unitarian Church of Orlando; on the memo line write “Share the Plate” and mail it to 1901 E. Robinson St. Orlando, FL 32803.
- Text: Send a text to 407-456-7082 and type into the message line: [the dollar amount you’d like to contribute] followed by sharedplate (no spaces) [Example: $50 sharedplate]. NOTE: Please include a dollar sign before the amount; HOWEVER, do not put a space between the dollar sign and dollar amount). The first time you contribute via text, you will follow prompts to enter your payment information. Each subsequent time, you’ll just text the same number with the message: $[amount] sharedplate You will receive a text verification and a receipt via email.
- Direct Donation: Donate directly using this link. After you make your donation, please send an email to servingthecommunity@orlandouu.org to help us keep track of donations made by us!
May/June 2025
Organization: One Heart for Women and Children Host: Charlotte K.
One Heart for Women and Children is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity organization located in Orlando, Florida. One Heart helps individuals who are homeless or in times of transition by helping them meet their most essential needs. They help provide access to food, clothing, school supplies, personal hygiene items, household items, and more. The goal each and every day is that each and every person that interacts with One Heart not only receives the resources they need but also feels a sense of hope.
One Heart feeds an average of 20,000 people per month in Central Florida through stationary and mobile food banks.
July/August 2025
Organization: Planned Parenthood Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida Host: Charlotte K.
Planned Parenthood provides affordable access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care and accurate health information through patient care, education, and advocacy.
September/October 2025
Organization: The Innocence Project Host: Steph G.
The Innocence Project of Florida (IPF) is an IRS-certified 501(c)(3), non-profit organization founded in January 2003 to help innocent prisoners in Florida obtain their freedom and rebuild their lives. Often those helped have spent decades behind bars in Florida. The mission is to help innocent prisoners be released and to help them transition once released. They also advocate for necessary justice reform.
November/December 2025
Organization: New Image Youth Center Host: Steph G.
NIYC’s mission is to provide a safe place to dream that fosters the academic, social, physical, and mental well-being of K–12 students in Parramore and surrounding areas through after-school and summer camp programs. Friends of the New Image Youth Center Team coordinates projects with NIYC.
Nominations for 2026 Share the Plate recipients will be requested in October or November 2025. Perhaps you are involved with a 501(C)(3) organization in our community that shares our UU values in their work. Consider hosting them as a Share a Plate recipient!
Our 5th Sunday Share the Plate Partner Is BLUU (Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism)
BLUU is committed to expanding the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism; providing support, information, and resources for Black Unitarian Universalists; and justice-making and liberation for Black people through our faith.
For more info, click here.
Every 5th Sunday throughout the year (Jun 29, Aug 31, and Nov 30 remain in 2025) BLUU receives all that is collected on Sunday.
January/February 2025
Organization: IDignity Host: Craig A.
Expect to hear from a speaker from IDignity Orlando on Sunday, Jan. 5. Look forward to hearing from the pulpit about the IDignity volunteer experience from a few 1U volunteers during February.
IDignity Orlando offers identification services where U.S. citizens and legal residents can get a birth certificate (from any U.S. state or territory), a Florida ID (or license renewal), and a Social Security card or verification information. We accomplish this mission through governmental partnership and the support of hundreds of dedicated volunteers.
The documents IDignity obtains for its clients give them the freedom to apply for work or school, gain access to shelters, seek help from social service programs, open a bank account or cash a check, secure permanent housing, or overcome many other obstacles to being self-sufficient.
Thank you for your continued involvement. The need is great. Consider volunteering.
1U Share the Plate 2024 Donations
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