Downloads plugin that can be called from PHP file

Been searching through support and codex to little avail so I thought I’d have a go asking here.

I am looking for a plugin / functionality whereby I could supply a direct link to files located on a folder somewhere in my WP directory.
Ideally:
– I could use some sort of function call to display a list of these links on a section of a website (for example, I have several boxes at the bottom the front page).
– It would have a bare minimum of user interface, just direct links to documents.

I’ve seen some great download plugins out there, but all seem to require a user registration / email address or else use widgets, limiting where I could put them.
If anyone knows where I could find something similar to what I explained above I’d be grateful, thanks!