Second Harvest North Florida 1502 Jessie Street Jacksonville, FL 32206 WeNourishHope.org twitter.com/wenourishhope facebook.com/wenourishhope
People like us Larry* was a little reluctant to share his story, but his wife Debbie* convinced him that they had nothing to be ashamed of. “We know this is a temporary set-back in our lives,” Debbie said. “But it’s going on three years since Larry has had a steady job. I think people need to understand how hard this recession has hit people like us.”
People like us. There are an estimated 342,600 food insecure people in the 18 counties that Second Harvest North Florida serves. 40% of these people are not eligible for any government food assistance.
By that, Debbie means people who before the recession never dreamed they would need help feeding their family - people who have job skills, good work experience and some savings in the bank, and people who, like Larry and Debbie, didn’t foresee having to survive three years of lost income. “I had a good paying job as a construction foreman,” Larry said. “We were building condominiums all over Jacksonville. As soon as one project was done, we were starting another one. I loved the work and the satisfaction of driving around town seeing homes that I helped to build.” When the building craze ended, Larry found himself without a next project. He and all of his co-workers were looking for jobs that no longer existed. “I collected unemployment during the first year,” Larry said. “But it wasn’t even half of what I was used to bringing home and then my benefits ran out.”
Larry has found a part-time job, but trying to make ends meet on his significantly reduced income and Debbie’s salary as a bank teller has been impossible. Even though they have cut expenses every way they can, they can barely make their house payment and keep up with monthly bills. “Earlier this year I realized that we didn’t have money to buy groceries,” Debbie said. “I swallowed my pride and went to apply for food stamps, but found out we earn too much money to qualify. I didn’t know what to do.” That’s when Larry did something he never imagined he would do. He stood in line at a food pantry and asked for food to feed his wife and two daughters. “I went there so ashamed I could hardly look people in the eye,” he said. “They were very helpful and understanding, but I just couldn’t believe my life had sunk so low.” “The most frustrating thing is that I just want to work and take care of my family,” Larry said. “I am healthy and strong and pretty smart, but my job skills are in construction and employers can pick and choose from hundreds of applicants. Most of the time, I can’t even get an interview.” “Our marriage is strong and I have faith that someday this will all be a bad memory,” Debbie said. “We’re so grateful for the food we’ve received and, believe me, when our day comes we will give back!” *Fictitious names have been used to protect this family’s privacy.
E STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I TRY TO FEED MY KIDS FIRST AND ME LAST.” “I WORK WITH CLIENTS WHO DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH FOOD TO EAT. THEY ARE CHILDREN AND MANY TIMES THEY CAN N NCENTRATE ON THEIR STUDIES, BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOOD IN THE HOME.” “IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OFTEN [THAT WE HAVE TO USE THE FOOD BANK], ONLY WHEN WORK SLOWS DOW E DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO AVOID IT.” “WE STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I TRY TO FEED MY KIDS FIRST AND ME LAST.” “I WORK WITH CLIENTS WHO DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH FOOD TO EAT. THEY A ILDREN AND MANY TIMES THEY CAN NOT CONCENTRATE ON THEIR STUDIES, BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOOD IN THE HOME. “IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OFTEN [THAT WE HAVE TO USE THE FOO NK], ONLY WHEN WORK SLOWS DOWN. WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO AVOID IT.” “EVERY MONTH A CHURCH, AFFILIATED WITH YOU ALL, BRINGS ME PLENTY OF FOOD. I COULD NEVER SHOW HOW MUCH IT
Getting food to hungry children Food Insecurity: Lack of enough healthy food for all household members to lead healthy, active lives. Hunger: The painful, uneasy sensations that are felt when a person has to repeatedly reduce his or her food intake because of food insecurity. Can it really be true that one out of five children in North Florida will go to bed hungry tonight — not merely deprived of a bowl of ice cream before bed, but hungry, with a gnawing belly ache and no hope of relief in the morning? The biggest impact of food insecurity is on our children because hunger in the home means there is stress in the home. Researchers have medical proof that the stress caused by hunger during a child’s formative years (0 to 3 years old) can alter the brain’s architecture, causing learning disabilities. School-aged children who live in homes where food is scarce often have inferior academic performance and problems with social interactions that can lead to behavioral issues. The children’s programs at Second Harvest North Florida are focused on getting nutritional food to kids who live with hunger. Whether its providing healthy after - school snacks to programs serving kids in disadvantaged neighborhoods or sending backpacks home on Fridays to ensure that food is available over the weekend, our goal is to get nutrition to kids so they can grow up to be strong, contributing adults.
27th Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon Every year just prior to Thanksgiving, individuals and businesses from all over greater Jacksonville join together at our Empty Bowls Luncheon to help raise money to feed families in need. Please join us at this unique event where you will learn about hunger in our community from local “experts” – those that are hungry and those that are serving the hungry. Local celebrities will serve you a simple soup and bread lunch and you can select and take home a handmade “empty bowl” as a token of our appreciation and a reminder that there are thousands who are hungry in our community every day. This year’s event promises to be our biggest and most inspiring ever! Make it an outing for friends and work colleagues. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at WeNourishHope.org or by calling 904.739.7074. Table and event sponsorships are also available. This year we are also encouraging supporters to host a bowl painting party with friends, coworkers or community groups. We have partnered with local pottery companies Pink Flamingo Arts and Doing Dishes to offer on-site bowl-painting events. The cost is just $8 per bowl, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the luncheon and the finished bowls being donated to the event. For more information, contact Tia Ford at 904.730.8284 or tford@WeNourishHope.org. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Prime Osborn Convention Center Doors open at 11 a.m. Program is from 12 to 1 p.m.
E STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I TRY TO FEED MY KIDS FIRST AND ME LAST.” “I WORK WITH CLIENTS WHO DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH FOOD TO EAT. THEY ARE CHILDREN AND MANY TIMES THEY CAN N NCENTRATE ON THEIR STUDIES, BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOOD IN THE HOME.” “IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OFTEN [THAT WE HAVE TO USE THE FOOD BANK], ONLY WHEN WORK SLOWS DOW E DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO AVOID IT.” “WE STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I TRY TO FEED MY KIDS FIRST AND ME LAST.” “I WORK WITH CLIENTS WHO DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH FOOD TO EAT. THEY A ILDREN AND MANY TIMES THEY CAN NOT CONCENTRATE ON THEIR STUDIES, BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOOD IN THE HOME. “IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OFTEN [THAT WE HAVE TO USE THE FOO NK], ONLY WHEN WORK SLOWS DOWN. WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO AVOID IT.” “EVERY MONTH A CHURCH, AFFILIATED WITH YOU ALL, BRINGS ME PLENTY OF FOOD. I COULD NEVER SHOW HOW MUCH IT