JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – FarmShare, in partnership with the JAX Fair team and Catholic Charities, distributed more than 65,000 pounds of food to families in need Thursday morning.
There were two drive-thru events: one at the Jax Fairground and another at the Jessie Ball DuPont Center. The distribution at the DuPont Center was meant to last from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., but the turnout was so large, volunteers ran out of food before 11 a.m.
FarmShare Distribution Coordinator Leighsha Johnson said the team will regroup and do it again next week. FarmShare plans to hold food giveaways every Tuesday and Thursday. She said this is extremely important work.
“It’s helping with everybody’s morale as a community. It’s taking one less stress off of helping provide families with food that they need for Thanksgiving,” Johnson said.
At the Jax Fairgrounds, cars lined the roadways waiting for a chance to get a pallet of food until noon when the distribution closed. The ones who drove away with supplies, like David Dean, said they are so grateful.
“It’s great the community is doing this for everybody. Everybody needs it now. It’s good to have the community having people help out,” Dean said.
Margaret Vail also left the fairgrounds with food. She said she and her husband are retired and on a limited income.
“It is trying times for everybody. We have a daughter and two grandchildren who are living with us. This allows us to make sure the boys have everything they need,” Vail said.
Upcoming FarmShare Distributions in Jacksonville
- Friday, November 20 at 9 a.m. at Legacy Ministries Church, 825 University Boulevard N.
- Saturday, November 21 at 9 a.m. at FSCJ, 101 W State Street
- Saturday, November 21 at 9 a.m. at High Point Community Church, 84 Knight Boxx Road in Orange Park
- Tuesday, November 24 at 10 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Church, 215 Bethel Baptist Street
Food giveaways are open to everyone. No proof of income is required to attend, and food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Look for more food giveaways on FarmShare’s distribution schedule.
Another food giveaway --not affiliated with FarmShare-- will be held Saturday, November 21 at Deermeadows Church, located at 9780 Baymeadows Road. It starts at 10 a.m.
