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. The local organizations are nominated by 1U members and voted on by the congregation for each calendar year.

October  2024

Share the Care helps caregivers who are helping loved ones who need help caring for themselves.

Share the Care has been providing support for family caregivers for over 30 years. Services include licensed adult day health centers, in-home respite and overnight respite services, caregiver counseling, case management, and more. Explore our site for details or contact us to see how we can assist you.

The Mission

Share the Care is a not-for-profit organization providing services, education, training, and support to family caregivers, enabling them to maintain their family member at home, delaying or eliminating the need for institutional care.

Share the Care

https://helpforcaregivers.org/

How to Donate

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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!

2024 Organizations

These organizations will receive our Share the Plate support in 2024. Click on their links to learn more about these organizations and/or volunteer!  

January 2024

Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida 

The Mission of the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida is:

“We use the history and lessons of the Holocaust to build a just and caring community free of antisemitism and all forms of prejudice and bigotry.”

Through our extensive outreach of educational and cultural programs and exhibits, we use the lessons of the Holocaust as a tool. We teach the principles of good citizenship to thousands of people of all ages, religions, races, sexual orientations, abilities and backgrounds each year.

February 2024

One Heart for Women and Children 

One Heart for Women and Children is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity organization located in Orlando, Florida. We help individuals who are homeless or in times of transition by helping them meet their most essential needs. We help provide access to food, clothing, school supplies, personal hygiene items, household items, and more.

Our 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.

March 2024

IDignity

IDignity assists in obtaining Florida ID cards and licenses, birth certificates, Social Security cards, and other documents needed to obtain an ID/license.

April 2024

Seniors First 

Seniors First works to improve the quality of life and overcome obstacles so living at home remains an option.We’re here for seniors when family, mobility and resources are lacking.

Seniors First is a 501 (c)3, nonprofit social service organization helping adults age 60+ with limited options who need support in order to live at home as long as possible. We are most well-known for our Meals on Wheels Program in Orange County. Our full range of services provide essential support and a safety net for seniors who deserve to age with hope, choice and dignity.

May 2024

Mental Health Association of Central Florida  

The Mission states: “We strive to empower our community to be inclusive, equitable and aware of mental, emotional and behavioral health needs in ourselves and others. We work to advocate for all to be courageous in their pursuit to be seen, heard and understood on their path to wellness.”

June  2024

Zebra Youth 

Zebra Coalition® is a network of organizations that provide services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and all youth (LGBTQ+) ages 13 – 24.

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July 2024

Legends Academy 

Legends Academy’s philosophy centers on the development of a culturally responsive and safe learning environment with the educational best practices of a K-8 school.  The philosophy of Teaching for Understanding is used throughout the school, putting the student at the epicenter of the instructional and assessment plan.  We recognize that all children are individuals with distinct needs and interests and therefore acknowledge that children learn at different rates and in different ways.  Children are natural learners and when supplied with a rich and dynamic learning environment they become enthusiastic and self-motivated.

August 2024

Shepherd’s Hope

Shepherd’s Hope is a non-profit organization of primarily volunteers that exist to provide access to healthcare for uninsured patients. They are caring people, caring for people. For 25 years, Shepherd’s Hope has given assistance through their evening clinics around the Orlando area to anyone in need.  With more than 2,700 volunteers, including doctors, nurses, PAs, clerical staff, and other willing helpers, literally thousands of patient visits are provided each year at no cost for the patient at all.

September 2024

Adult Literacy League

Adult Literacy empowers Central Floridians to be thriving members of our community through literacy and education

October 2024

Share the Care 

The Mission: Share the Care is a not-for-profit organization providing services, education, training, and support to family caregivers, enabling them to maintain their family member at home, delaying or eliminating the need for institutional care.

November 2024

Planned Parenthood of SW & CFL

Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida  provides affordable access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care and accurate health information through patient care, education, and advocacy.

December 2024

New Image Youth Center 

NIYC’s mission is to provide a safe place to dream that fosters academic, social, physical, and mental well-being for our youth. Friends of the New Image Youth Center Team coordinates projects with NIYC.

Every 5th Sunday throughout the year BLUU receives all that is collected on Sunday. 

Our 5th Sunday in July 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.

1U Share the Plate 2023 Donations

Here are the year-end results for the 2023 Share the Plate program. Please note that some donations are made directly to the organization and may or may not be reported back to 1U as part of the STP program. Also, the 1U Alliance generously added $1000 to the Planned Parenthood donation.

Month Organization 1U donations
January 2023 Coalition for the Homeless $1,008.76
February 2023 Canine Companions $1,379.56
March 2023 Coalition of Immokalee Workers

$1,950.00

April 2023 Adult Literacy League $1,702.00
May 2023 New Image Youth Center $1,842.40
June 2023 IDignity

$4,016.25

July 2023 Joy MCC Food Bank

$761.00

August 2023 Harbor House

$1,333.63

September 2023 Ten Thousand Villages

$692.11

October 2023 Zebra Coalition $794.00
November 2023 Planned Parenthood $3,458.00 (incl. Alliance match of $1000)
December 2023 Shepherd’s Hope $1,716.00
December 2023 Minister’s Discretionary Fund

$596.00

Total STP donations for 2023

$21,249.71

BLUU (Black Lives of Unitarian Universalist) (5th Sundays only) $1,863.73
Total 2023 1U contributions: $23,113.44