Area non-profit food bank plans additional distributions and programs to help children this summer and beyond
Jacksonville, Fla. –– May 16, 2024 –– Feeding Northeast Florida (FNEFL), the area’s largest nonprofit food bank, is once again joining the fight to end childhood hunger this summer and beyond. The organization will host several special distributions geared towards supporting children and families when school is not in session. Feeding Northeast Florida will host these food distribution events at schools across Duval County to ensure that additional healthy, nutritious resources are available to children in need. Additional distributions will be added throughout the summer.
More than 272,600 individuals across the twelve counties the food bank serves face food insecurity, with nearly 90,000 being children. Those staggering statistics equate to one in eight adults and one in five children facing hunger throughout our community. Hunger remains a year-round issue, it becomes even more critical for children during the summer months when school is not in session. Families often struggle to replace meals for their children that were previously provided at school –– that’s where FNEFL steps in to help.
The initiative kicks off this month with one distribution in May and two Summer Hunger distributions planned for June. Each distribution will be equipped to serve 500 households in need. The distribution sites and dates are:
- Ed White High School, located at 1700 Old Middleburg Rd. N., on May 18 at 10 a.m.
- Chimney Lakes Elementary School, located at 9353 Staples Mill Dr., on June 7 at 2 p.m.
- Greenfield Elementary School, located at 6343 Knights Ln. N., on June 21 at 2 p.m.
“Children should never go hungry –– nutritional support is essential for their health, well-being, educational success and long-term development,” said Susan King, President & CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida. “We are always here to help fill the nutritional gaps throughout the year, but we want to remind our community that we are here for them during the sometimes difficult summer months. With more families struggling to make ends meet than ever before, we are committed to continue to provide fresh, nutritious foods to those in need at these and all of our food distribution events.”
FNEFL aims to fill nutritional gaps during the summer and year-round, ensuring children have the nourishment they need –– regardless of the time of year. For more information on childhood hunger or about Feeding Northeast Florida, to make a donation or sign up to volunteer, visit feedingnefl.org. For every $1 donated, six meals are provided.
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About Feeding Northeast Florida (FNEFL)
Feeding Northeast Florida (FNEFL) is the region’s largest nonprofit (501c3) food bank and hunger relief network. FNEFL provides nutritious foods and other essential goods to those in need and strives to improve the quality of life for people living in and around Northeast and North Central Florida by addressing food insecurity, poverty and poor health. Alongside our network of food distribution, agency and community partners, the Food Bank provides food resources and hope to help all people living in our 12-county service area (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Levy, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns and Union) who struggle to feed themselves and their families. Feeding Northeast Florida works daily to find solutions to address the issues of food insecurity and poverty through awareness, advocacy, education, and action in ways that promote dignity, respect and empowerment. For more information, visit feedingnefl.org.