JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In the Arlington neighborhood, Wednesdays and Fridays are busy on Bernita Street.
“We wanna be here to respond to that need and distribute food to people who are in need of that,” Eileen Seuter, Regional Director for Catholic Charities Jacksonville said.
That “need” is for food. Families across the region are struggling to get enough of it and at a good quality.
Florida’s food insecurity numbers are below the national average, but it remains a struggle for some families in Northeast Florida.
So, Catholic Charities Jacksonville set up a food pantry — giving out food to those in need.
“People start lining up at 8:30 a.m. and we start our food distribution at 10:30 a.m.,” Seuter said. “We’re able to serve about 100 families. Twice a week.”
Dozens of cars lined up to get the bags of groceries they need.
Patricia Holt is one of those picking up for her family. She said her grandkids love the sweet treats that come with the bag.
“Things that my grandchildren aren’t used to because they’ve been basically orphans for the last couple years,” she said.
Holt lost her son Joseph two-and-a-half years ago at just 34 years old.
Her son was living in the Philippines with his wife. His death left his family there without left without a father. And Holt was forced to face life without her son.
“It’s rough every day,” she said, “Every day.”
Since then, Holt started the process of getting her son’s family to the United States.
She said she’s spent thousands of dollars to get them to Jacksonville, a place she said has a Filipino community they will be comfortable living in.
Holt, however, moved just a few months ago after living in Mexico for nearly two decades.
She said when she got to the U.S. she faced yet another surprise at the grocery store.
In just the past year the USDA said “food-at-home” prices were up about 5% and up about 25% since 2019.
“And I have kids sleeping on the floor,” Holt said. “I need three beds.”
Patricia started coming to Catholic Charities last month. Getting some help with food as others in the Arlington area do.
“We really try to wrap our arms around the families and give them what they need,” Seuter said.
Holt said it’s a lifeline while her family gets back on their feet.
"I’m sure [Joseph] probably guided me here,” she said. “I hope to leave my share to someone else pretty soon. I think about after the holiday I can say goodbye to the crew here and let somebody else have my share of the food and I think we’ll be OK.”
Catholic Charities is partnered with Feeding Northeast Florida.
For a map of food pantries near you CLICK HERE.