JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One local organization that helps families who have lost loved ones is helping make sure they have the essentials they need, including fresh and healthy food options.
The Families of Slain Children, known for helping families who’ve gone through the tragedy of gun violence, is the latest group to be highlighted and approved by Blue Zones Project Jacksonville.
As they help families emotionally, they also want to make sure they’re healthy physically starting with the types of food they put on their kitchen table.
Beverly McClain started the organization shortly after her son was murdered.
“I heard the Lord tell me it wasn’t about me. To get up and do something,” she said.
She helps other parents who’ve lost a loved one work through their pain by providing comfort, support and resources while they grieve.
“People just come because people are in need,” McClain said.
While helping these families, she noticed another problem. Many of them were food insecure and didn’t know when or where they’d get their next meal.
“I was going into so many people’s homes and the lack thereof. I said, ‘Oh God, we have to do something about this.’ So I started going out around people that had food and started gathering up and putting it out here for the neighborhood,” McClain said.
Nearly two decades later, her Monday food giveaways now have dozens of volunteers, with cars and people lined up down the block.
The giveaway helps 150 families each week with help from Feeding Northeast Florida.
After losing her husband and son to gun violence, volunteer Robin Clemens knows how it feels to need the help McClain provides.
“They depend on her. She was there for me and my family and many other families too,” Clemons said.
Mark McGuire is a consultant with the organization and hopes to address food insecurity while making sure fruits and vegetables are in every box through the partnership with the Blue Zones Project Jacksonville.
“I think the biggest thing is awareness and access. We can’t always get people to special places. We can’t always get them to other sides of town. But if we can empower them right where they are, then that’s empowerment itself,” McGuire said.
Blue Zones plans to help guide the community through a lifestyle change by showing them affordable healthy recipes that can be easily made at home.
McClain said she hopes people understand the key to a better quality of life is through the food she gives away in every box.
“I’m so grateful that they joined on because people need to eat better. They don’t know how to eat better. Don’t know what’s good for them. But they’re going to learn,” McClain said.
The Families of Slain Children is always accepting donations as well as toiletry items to help families in need.
You can stop by their office at 2212 Myrtle Avenue or click here to visit their website.
If you would like to take the Blue Zones Pledge, click here.