FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – The Barnabas Center in Fernandina Beach, partnering with Feeding Northeast Florida, distributed thousands of food boxes this week to Nassau County residents, drawing long lines of vehicles at their location.
Recommended Videos
The organization has seen its weekly food pantry attendance jump from an average of 250-260 people to over 300 in recent weeks, marking a nearly 35% increase in demand.
“It’s not just the SNAP too, we’re in a temporary food desert. No Winn Dixie, no Publix, so we’re down two big stores,” Nick Covino, Nutrition Services Manager at the Barnabas Center, said.
Despite the growing challenges, the community has stepped up with unexpected support. The center has received numerous spontaneous donations of both food and money, while volunteers have increased their presence to meet the rising demand.
The distribution effort includes not just traditional food items but also innovative solutions for sustainable food security. Visitors receive complete meal packages including turkeys and fresh produce, along with vegetable grow bags containing ready-to-plant seedlings.
Donnise Coleman, who has served as a Barnabas ambassador for a decade, emphasizes the importance of community support during difficult times.
“It makes you feel good to help somebody that’s in need because I always say - you never know when we’re gonna be in need and somebody has to give something to us,” Coleman said.
The organization continues to adapt to the increasing demand, with Feeding Northeast Florida packing nearly 4,000 boxes this week for distribution across the region.
Click here for more information about the Barnabas Center.