INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. — United Against Poverty (UP) Indian River has been awarded a $1.25 million multi-year investment through Cleveland Clinic’s statewide food security initiative, helping expand access to nutritious food and essential household products for families throughout Indian River County.
In addition to approximately $750,000 in annual community benefit investments statewide, Cleveland Clinic supports food security initiatives across Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties. These investments help provide nutritious food and essential resources to seniors, families, and individuals through programs such as food pantries, mobile food distribution, Meals on Wheels, fresh produce access, and community garden initiatives.
United Against Poverty, Indian River received a total commitment of $1.25 million to be allocated over multiple years. This funding strengthens UAP’s ability to provide a diverse selection of fresh produce, protein, and pantry staples to residents of Indian River County. Over the past five years, participation in the Member Share Grocery Program (MSGP) has increased by 142%, underscoring the growing demand for food assistance in our community. This significant investment is critical to ensure UAP can continue meeting the evolving needs of local individuals and families while expanding access to nutritious, affordable food.
The Member Share Grocery Program offers a dignified and accessible approach to food assistance, allowing members to select groceries and household goods based on their family’s unique needs. Membership is free for qualifying households, with a small handling fee helping to sustain program operations.
In 2025 alone, UP Indian River’s Member Share Grocery Program served 17,121 families, generating more than $6.7 million in household savings that families could redirect toward housing, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and other critical needs.
The need remains significant throughout Indian River County. According to United Way ALICE data, 42% of local households struggle to afford basic necessities, including food, housing, transportation, childcare, and healthcare. Despite the area’s economic growth and affluence, thousands of working families continue to live paycheck to paycheck and face difficult choices between groceries and other necessities.
Food insecurity often goes unseen, impacting employed adults, seniors on fixed incomes, and families who may not qualify for traditional assistance programs. The annual food budget shortfall for food-insecure residents in Indian River County exceeds $17.6 million, and 43% of those affected do not qualify for SNAP benefits. To help address this gap, UP Indian River expanded Member Share Grocery Program eligibility to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level, increasing access for families who may otherwise fall outside traditional assistance programs.
This contribution builds on Cleveland Clinic’s broader efforts to address food insecurity through philanthropy and care-based programs, including teaching kitchens, pediatric summer and weekend meal initiatives, food vouchers, grocery delivery, free produce from local farms and Nourish food pantries for eligible patients.
“This transformational support from Cleveland Clinic represents an investment in the health, stability, and dignity of families throughout Indian River County,” said Matt Tanner, Executive Director of United Against Poverty, Indian River.
“Every day, we meet hardworking families and seniors who are making difficult choices between food, housing, healthcare, and other necessities. Through our Member Share Grocery Program, families can stretch their grocery budgets and redirect savings toward other critical expenses. Cleveland Clinic’s collaboration strengthens our ability to address food insecurity today while helping families build a healthier, more stable future.”
About United Against Poverty United Against Poverty (UP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve economic self-sufficiency through programs designed to address immediate needs and create long-term stability. Through initiatives including the Member Share Grocery Program (MSGP), Success Training Employment Program (STEP), Crisis Care, and Workforce Development services, United Against Poverty works to reduce barriers and provide pathways toward sustainable self-sufficiency. By combining compassionate support with practical resources, United Against Poverty is committed to Lifting UP lives in the communities we serve. To learn more: www.unitedagainstpoverty.org.
