JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The shelves at The LJD Jewish Family and Community Services food pantry are far from empty — and that’s by design.
“Our shelves aren’t bare; we keep them stocked because we know the need is out there,” said Marilyn Darius, the organization’s Financial and Food Pantry Assistant Manager.
That need is growing. With the federal government shutdown and recent changes to SNAP benefits, more Jacksonville families are turning to food pantries for help.
Darius said the pantry is open to anyone in the city, no matter their ZIP code or income level.
According to Feeding Northeast Florida, more than 300,000 people are expected to rely on food pantries this year. Darius said her team is already feeling the impact.
“We have already seen 240 people in our pantry — that’s a pretty high number for us,” she said. “Normally around the holidays, we see 100 to 150.”
What’s changing most, she said, is who is coming through the door.
“We saw military families come and visit us, and we are so grateful that they can get from our pantry,” Darius said.
The Armed Services YMCA reports a 30% to 70% increase in military families seeking food assistance this year. Darius said it’s not just military households — suburban families and first-time visitors are also asking for help.
Still, she wants to make one thing clear: people shouldn’t feel embarrassed or worried about coming in for support.
It’s hard; we’ve all been through this. Like we talked before, I know it’s hard for people to come here because they might feel ashamed, don’t feel ashamed, it’s okay,“ Darrius said. ”That’s why we are here, that’s why we have this agency, that’s why we have people who donate things. Because they know, they may have been at that place at one point and time,
She said her volunteers work hard to make sure everyone feels welcome.
“We try our best to make sure you have food, and we tell you to come every week if you want.”
The pantry, located at the LJD Jewish Family and Community Services campus, is open several days a week and accepts food donations year-round.
Darius hopes anyone struggling won’t hesitate to reach out.
How to get help or donate
Max Block Food Pantry
6261 DuPont Station Court, Jacksonville, FL 32217
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
All you need to bring is a photo ID — a driver’s license or passport works, and even a photo on your phone will do. No one will be turned away, and staff members promise that every visitor will leave with something to eat.
If you’d like to help, food donations are accepted at the same location during pantry hours — Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m.