JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – More than 600 families lined up Monday to get the holiday essentials courtesy of Feeding Northeast Florida and the Jaguars.
Locals were greeted by Jaguars players, food bank representatives, and volunteers at the annual food distribution event.
Each family received a 12- to 15-pound turkey in a black bag and then other items like corn, squash and eggplant.
“I knew there would be a lot of families in need, but I never thought it would be 600,” former Jaguars quarterback David Garrard said. “I never thought the traffic would be snaking the parking lot, and it just shows you there’s a lot of people who aren’t able to meet their needs this time of year.”
The drive-thru food distribution started at 2 p.m. in Lot Z at EverBank Stadium.
According to the organizers, the families receiving turkeys were pre-selected for the event.
“Like me, you’re just behind, and once you fall behind, you can’t catch up,” Debra Huffman said. “That’s the sad part, but thankfully with the grace of God and prayer, he’ll bring us all through it.”
Garrard, who led the Jags to the playoffs in 2007, says today the priority is the people.
“When you get around the holidays, you want to make sure you’re out here, making sure people aren’t hungry this time of year,” Garrard said. “It’s supposed to be a happy time, a time to be with family, a time for reflection, just to make sure everybody is getting their needs met.”
Feeding Northeast Florida said the agency has seen an increase in need, particularly during and after the government shutdown.
“Our agency has been reporting anywhere from 30 to 100-plus increase from last year,” said Susan King with Feeding Northeast Florida. “A lot of that was government shutdown, fear and uncertainty over the pause in SNAP benefits, but you know families that don’t have paychecks can’t bounce back as quickly.”