Welcome to Nature Coast Ministries!
Nature Coast Ministries is a faith-based 501(c)3 organization that seeks financial and volunteer support from the entire community.
Our purpose at Nature Coast Ministries is to put forth in the community the expressed love, hope and forgiveness of Jesus Christ through actions that improve the quality of life for our citizens while respecting their inherent dignity as fellow human beings. We will do this without regard for race, gender, religion, age, marital status or station.
Since 2014, Nature Coast Ministries has provided over $2 million in no-cost dental care to veterans and to those who live below the federal poverty guidelines. Qualified patients will receive a new patient evaluation. Upon the evaluation, X-rays, filings, and extractions could be scheduled. We are working together to create a direct referral program whereby the No Cost Dental Clinic will set aside times each week that will be available to patients referred by hospitals. The Clinic will take care of the cause of the patient’s acute dental pain and eliminate their need to return to the Emergency Department for the same pain over and over. This will reduce some of the overcrowding and shorten wait times for other emergency patients.
You can also download a free brochure to help spread the word.
Recent statistics published for 2023 show that 16.7% of the population in Citrus County, Florida, have annual incomes below the poverty line. This percentage is higher than the national average of 12.8%, In Citrus County, where the population is 158,083, there are over 23.4K people living at or below the poverty level. Since Nature Coast Ministries’ No Cost Dental Clinic is available to those with incomes that are less than 200% of the poverty line, more than 30,000 people are estimated to qualify for our no-cost dental services.
Thrift Shop Outreach
The money made in our thrift shop is used to fund our benevolent operations and also provide quality merchandise at a price that struggling families can afford. In addition, the items we receive are also used to furnish people in desperate times. We have always made a special effort to help out grandparents who are raising grandchildren, veterans who need help, single parents and their children, domestic abuse victims, and people who have lost everything due to fire or natural disaster.
Testimonials
I battled with bad teeth for years. I did not have the income or insurance to cover for dental care. This was the most painful and depressing time in my life. Nature Coast Ministries changed, fixed, and repaired not just my teeth but my life. A true blessing to this community. I would do anything in my power to volunteer or help in any way. But that will still never repay them for these blessings. Amen, and please stay blessed.
Maurizio Capelli - 2023
My name is Norma, and I had quite an experience with Nature Coast Ministries dental. I am a 13-year Army vet, and when I came to them, I was also struggling and homeless. Very embarrassed with my situation, they made me feel welcomed and warm and treated me like family. I am also very nervous about my teeth, and the staff understood that and guided me with care and compassion the whole way. They helped rebuild my self confidence back with my smile. I am truly grateful to have had them when I needed them and would recommend them to anyone who is in a situation where they feel it’s hopeless and they need assistance. Thank you and God bless Nature Coast Ministries.
Norma Krumwiede - 2022
When you change people’s smiles you change the way they eat, their habits, the way they look. I love changing people’s lives every day. It’s very sad but it happens around the world wherever there is poverty. More recently he has volunteered with the Nature Coast Ministries in Citrus County. I see the need for services here in our community as well. Helping out here is equally important.
Dr. E. Pichardo
2017 Healthcare Heroes
Dental Excellence
Your treatment made me better. I wish to thank Nature Coast Ministries Free Dental Clinic for taking my teeth out and making me feel much better and keeping me healthy and they didn’t even charge me anything. They were wonderful and it’s a clean, very sterile, beautiful place. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Citrus Chronicle Soundoff
When my husband and I needed dental help for our grandson. After checking into several dentists, we found they were extremely high cost and we are on a fixed income. After almost giving up hope and my grandson being on antibiotics for almost a month, we looked in Nature Coast Ministries No-Cost Dental Clinic. The doctors there, most of whom are military dentists helped us with my grandson’s needs with his impacted wisdom teeth. They did this with compassion and even said a prayer with him before they proceeded. It was a success, and he is now pain free. My husband and I have since felt so grateful that we volunteer at their thrift store whenever we can for a few hours a week. It is nice to give back when they have given so much.
Anne Marie and Conrad Sudman 2023
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