The USDA is reporting a rise in food insecurity across the country as food costs are also going up. A local organization is working to help those in northeast Florida.

Donations have also dropped, and the money that is donated isn’t going as far as it used to at the grocery store.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Lutheran Social Services, in partnership with Helping Florida and Clear Health Alliance, will host a mobile food pantry from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday at its office at 4615 Philips Highway. The food pantry will be open to anyone in need and will include 1,600 pre-packaged food boxes to be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Lutheran Social Services feeds hundreds of local families every week through its regular pantry, which is open five days a week, Monday through Friday. This will be the nonprofit’s first weekend food giveaway. “Our pantry serves more than 2,000 households every month, but we know there are families missing out on much-needed food assistance because they work during the week,” Executive Director Bill Brim said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The City of Jacksonville reminded Duval residents on Twitter of a free, drive-through food distribution happening today. The Catholic Charities ‘Food Pantry at the Jessie’ is in partnership with Farm Share and the Jessie Ball DuPont Fund. The drive-thru distribution happens every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 am - 3 pm, at the Jessie Ball Dupont Center at 40 East Adams Street. The groups involved say they have already served tens of thousands of families in need.