JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Feeding families and fueling small businesses — that’s the goal of a new grassroots effort tackling food insecurity on Jacksonville’s Northside.
Northside Pride, a community-based nonprofit, launched what it calls the “Feed the Ville Business Support Program.” The organization donated $5,000 to four neighborhood markets and restaurants to help families and workers weather the ongoing government shutdown.
Aarion “Slim” Williams is the owner of Durkeeville and Co., which has been in business for 11 years.
He said there have been fewer customers since the shutdown.
“I haven’t been seeing the regular customers because they don’t have anything to spend,” Williams said. “Business has been slow because of the shutdown.”
That’s where Northside Pride stepped in. Executive Director Dana Maule said the goal is to keep businesses open, while ensuring families can still put food on the table.
“Our main mission is to build back the business districts on the Northside,” Maule said. “We wanted to do a cash infusion to these businesses to keep their doors open and to feed the people.”
Families can take advantage of the food giveaways at the different stores during the government shutdown.
Maule said food insecurity on the Northside is a major issue. Most SNAP recipients live in that part of the city.
“The families who live in this neighborhood are important, the people who work in these businesses are important,” Maule said. “We had to get the food to them, so this was the idea we came up with.”
Williams said the program was a natural fit.
“I was looking for a way to give back — who I could partner with — and it was the right timing,” he said. “Perfect timing.”
Northside Pride will give away $100 grocery vouchers on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Nature Fresh Market, 3000 Dunn Ave.
There will also be giveaways at Café Resistance on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., and at Star Meat House on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 2 to 6 p.m.