JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Farm Share’s latest food giveaway Saturday served more than 500 local families in need at Abyssinia Missionary Baptist Church on Interstate Center Drive in Jacksonville.
The nonprofit teamed up with state Rep. Tracie Davis for the drive-thru food distribution.
The event was set to begin at 9 a.m. but the line of cars was so long, volunteers had no choice but to start early. The event continued until all the supplies had been handed out.
For Frank Wilkerson and his wife, Betty Jo, the food giveaways have been a Godsend. Like many, they have faced the hard choice between getting medication and buying food.
“This is our third time coming to it. It helps us a lot. Both of us are retired,” Frank Wilkerson said. “With her medicine and all, we struggle, but it helps us out a lot.”
Visitors were asked to remain in their cars as volunteers placed fresh produce and non-perishable canned foods in their trunks.
It turned out, the volunteers weren’t the only ones with giving hearts. Inez Debodlabon came to pick up food for her neighbors who didn’t have transportation.
“I do help other people who need help,” she said. “It makes me feel good, giving back to someone who don’t have.”
Farm Share estimates more than 3.4 million families are food insecure throughout the state of Florida.
Last year alone, Farm Share handed out more than 104 million pounds of food.
Rep. Davis said not only is this about helping, but it’s also about encouraging people, too.
“We’re all in this together. I know that sounds cliché at this point, but we’re all in this together,” Davis said. “And we’re going to move forward together.”
