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After years of searching for a new location, Daily Bread, a Melbourne non-profit organization, is quietly planning to close on a property near one of Brevard County’s largest high schools in the next two weeks. The organization, which provides meals and assistance to those experiencing homelessness, has been operating out of its current location on Fee Avenue since 1988.
The move comes after a deal for a property on Sarno Road fell through for undisclosed reasons. The Sarno Road location was slated to house Providence Place, a 120-unit affordable housing complex that was expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The complex would have offered wrap-around services to help residents transition out of homelessness.
After learning of the pending deal on the new property, we reached out to Daily Bread’s Executive Director Jeff Njus for details. He stated that, ” I’m not able to share details of the project at this point. But I should be able to in a couple of weeks. Appreciate it if you are able to hold off and I will be happy to share with you about the project then.”
Re-Apollo-MoveHowever, sources reveal that the new location, a 2-parcel, 7 acre deal and former car dealerships located on South Apollo Blvd. is set to close within 2 weeks. The executive summary for the properties listing on Loopnet states that the land has been approved for Approved for 4-story, 96,000 SF Self Storage facility and 4-story, 56-unit multifamily development.
The property sits just 650 feet from Melbourne High School. Given the amount of press and community push-back on the previous two plans to relocate, its understandable why they would want to keep this deal quiet however, given the amount of public resources they’ve received that partially make this deal possible, we feel the public has a right to know.
Daily Bread’s efforts to relocate have been years in the making. The organization’s current location on Fee Avenue has been the subject of numerous complaints from residents over the years. Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey has publicly acknowledged the negative impacts of the current location and has advocated for the organization’s relocation for quite some time.
In 2023, the Melbourne City Council approved a plan to donate 3 acres of land on Sarno Road to Daily Bread for the construction of Providence Place. The city also pledged $3 million towards the project. However, for undisclosed reasons, the deal ultimately fell through, prompting the organization to seek an alternative location. During the approval process, American Muscle Car Museum owner Mark Pieloch was extremely vocal in his opposition to the Sarno location which would be close to his expensive private car collection. (watch his comments in video below)
The new location on Apollo Blvd. represents a significant shift for Daily Bread, moving the organization from a primarily residential area to a location away from homes but near a large high school. There are a large number homes immediately to the east of the future location but separated by the train tacks. While it remains to be seen what services will be offered at the new facility, the organization has stated its commitment to continuing its mission of “ensuring that no one faces hunger or homelessness alone”. The Daily Bread’s website and social media accounts are silent on the new property.
Daily Bread has a long history of adapting its services to meet the needs of the community. Founded in 1988 by a teacher and her husband, the organization began as a small soup kitchen serving just 14 meals on its first day. Over the years, Daily Bread has expanded its services to include healthcare, case management, employment, and social support services.
In recent years, the organization has shifted its focus to housing-first solutions for those experiencing homelessness. This led to the development of the Providence Place project, which was envisioned as a comprehensive community offering a range of services to support residents in their transition to permanent housing.
While Daily Bread has historically focused on providing meals and support services, its shift toward housing-first solutions, as evidenced by the Providence Place project, has raised questions and concerns about the organization’s evolving role and the potential impact on the surrounding community. Although the Daily Bread would not specify to us what services will be offered at the new Apollo Blvd. location, it’s crucial to understand how these services will cater to the specific needs of the homeless population while mitigating potential concerns from the neighboring high school and its community. Some residents in the surrounding area have already expressed concerns about potential residential legal restrictions in proximity to schools for some that the Daily Bread may provide housing services to.
While the Sarno Road deal may have fallen through, Daily Bread’s commitment to providing housing and support for those in need remains unwavering. The organization’s quiet move to Apollo Blvd. marks a new chapter in its 35-year history of service to the Melbourne community. It also presents an opportunity for the organization to rebuild trust with the community. Engaging openly with residents, businesses, and the nearby high school will be key to ensuring a smooth transition and continued support for its mission. Further details about the new location and the services offered are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.