Second Harvest North Florida 1502 Jessie Street Jacksonville, FL 32206 WeNourishHope.org twitter.com/wenourishhope facebook.com/wenourishhope
The Mobile Pantry is up and rolling! It was a vision long before it became a reality, but we are happy to report that the Mobile Pantry program is now operational and is already having an amazing impact!
“A distribution that is feeding families has different needs than one that is feeding the homeless or seniors.”
Every weekday morning, Josh Ellis, mobile pantry manager, loads our mobile pantry truck with pallets of produce, bakery, dairy products and dry goods. He then heads out to support an agency, like Trinity Rescue Mission, that has a weekly food distribution program. Every Monday, people begin lining up at the mission before sunrise just to be sure they receive food. Josh’s work does not end when the food is delivered. He stays to help the agency set up and talks to staff and volunteers to understand their program and the people they serve. He walks down the line of waiting people, talking to them about their situations and their needs. This interaction helps him better understand what foods will help the most at each distribution. “A distribution that is feeding families has different needs than one that is feeding the homeless or seniors,” Josh said. “By taking the time to watch and listen, I’m learning how to best meet the needs of each agency.” After each morning distribution, Josh heads back to the food bank to load the mobile pantry truck again and head to another agency. “The morning schedule is the same each week,” he said. “But the afternoons take me to new and different agencies every day.” After eight weeks on the job, Josh is still amazed at the need he is witnessing. “The agencies
tell me that every month, their lines get longer,” he said. “The stories I hear from the people in line have become familiar now; lost jobs, medical problems and the inability to meet rising expenses on a fixed income. These are the issues that drive good people to stand in line for hours to receive food that will help them get through another week.”
“The Mobile Pantry program is entirely funded by gifts from the community,” said Bruce Ganger, executive director of Second Harvest North Florida. “We’ve had wonderful response from local businesses, civic groups, faith-based organizations and individuals.” It costs $1,000 to provide the food that feeds the 200 to 300 families that typically turn out at each distribution. The program is currently funded for two distributions each day through July. “We invite people to ride along and join in to help at a distribution,” Bruce said. “It’s an experience that will open your eyes to the incredible need in our community.”
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
CSX volunteers “On The Go” to help feed hungry families When CSX called Second Harvest North Florida and asked if it could put together a volunteer experience for 300 of their employees, the staff jumped at the opportunity to organize its first “On The Go” volunteer event. Taking over the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, we brought in 100,000 pounds of food that needed to be sorted, bagged and packaged for delivery to hungry families in north Florida.
THE 22ND ANNUAL JACKSONVILLE
FOODFIGHT JUNE 7, 2012 TOUCHDOWN CLUB EAST EVERBANK FIELD
THE 22ND ANNUAL JACKSONVILLE
FOODFIGHT JUNE 7, 2012 TOUCHDOWN CLUB EAST EVERBANK FIELD
At 30 work stations set up around the arena, 300 CSX volunteers went to work. By the end of the three-hour event, food for more than 86,000 meals was ready for distribution. “I feel so fortunate that I’m blessed to have a good job because I know that there are a lot of people who are struggling right now,” said one CSX volunteer. “Anything we can do to help is just a blessing to be able to do.”
THE 22ND ANNUAL JACKSONVILLE
FOODFIGHT JUNE 7, 2012 TOUCHDOWN CLUB EAST EVERBANK FIELD
Don’t miss the fun and excitement at the 22nd Annual Jacksonville FOODFIGHT! Be there when over 50 of First Coast’s finest restaurants, caterers and beverage wholesalers engage in a friendly competition showcasing their signature dishes. In addition to fabulous food and spirits, you will enjoy live entertainment provided by local band Split Tone.
How Second Harvest North Florida will use your contribution: Join us on Thursday, June 7 6:30 - 9 p.m. (VIP area opens at 5:30 p.m.) at EverBank Field Touchdown Club East All proceeds benefit Second Harvest North Florida
• Every $1 donated provides 7 meals for people in need. • Every $100 donated provides a weekly backpack full of nutritious food to feed a child on weekends, when food might not be available at home. • $100,000 raised at FOODFIGHT would enable Second Harvest to take 100 Mobile Pantry distributions of Family Boxes of food into neighborhoods with the greatest need.
Order tickets by phone at 904.739.7074 or online at www.jacksonvillefoodfight.org. See you there!
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