The current federal government shutdown has broken the record as the longest ever, disrupting the lives of millions of Americans with federal program cuts, flight delays and federal workers nationwide left without paychecks, including thousands of people impacted in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.
In Duval County, about 160,000 people rely on SNAP each month, which includes about 57,000 households.
In 23 neighborhoods with around 11,000 homes, over 50% of the households are on SNAP. The average SNAP benefit is $187 per person per month.
Most SNAP dollars are spent at grocery stores and then flow through the logistics and food manufacturing sectors. The reduced benefits are linked to higher food insecurity and health costs.
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Where to get help
As uncertainty remains over when or if full benefits will be paid out, several local groups are stepping up to fill the gap in Northeast Florida.
Here’s a list of food pantries that are working hard to help those in need in our area:
- Johnson Family YMCA in Northwest Jacksonville, just off Edgewood Avenue | Food pantry open Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. and Fridays from noon to 2 p.m.
- Calvary Baptist Church at 4040 Dunn Avenue in the Northside | Walk-up pantry starting at 10 a.m. People are encouraged to bring a cart or bags to be able to carry the food. One person from each household has to be present and can only get food for that household.
- BEAM food distributions (for residents in ZIP codes 32233, 32266, 32250, 32082, 32224, and 32227)
- Oak Harbor Baptist Church / Mayport Elementary School: First and third Wednesday of each month starting at 3 p.m.
- Anchor Academy Elementary: Second Thursday of each month, starting at 3 p.m.
- St. John the Baptist Catholic Church: Third Saturday of each month, starting at 7 a.m.
- Neptune Baptist Church: Fourth Saturday of each month, starting at 11 a.m.
- Jacksonville Community Action Committee: The organization will be serving hot meals for residents facing immediate food insecurity due to the federal government shutdown on Wednesday, Nov. 5, outside Café Resistance at 5007 Soutel Drive.
- Feeding Northeast Florida: The organization said the easiest way people can find their nearest food pantry is through their website. People can use their address or ZIP code to search a map to find free groceries or meals closest to them. There are no requirements for people to receive food from the food pantries. The organization also said it will host an emergency response distribution at Regency Mall on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 10 a.m. The drive-thru distribution will specifically take place at 9501 Arlington Expy Suite 245B, in Jacksonville. Click here to find your nearest food pantry
- City Rescue Mission: The organization provides hot meals daily and emergency shelter services through its New Life Inn facility in downtown Jacksonville (234 W State St.). The Mission also provides recovery and employment programs, counseling, and basic needs such as clothing and hygiene support for individuals and families in need. The Mission is asking local residents, businesses, churches, and civic groups to take action now. More info at www.crmjax.org.
- Overnight shelter check-in begins at 3:30 p.m.
- Shelter Care Meals: 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday-Saturday
- Community Meal (for non-overnight guests):
- Sunday-Friday: 4:30–5:30 p.m. (Dinner)
- Saturday: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Lunch)
The City of Jacksonville has launched the Duval Care Coalition. This coalition is a unified network that will bring faith-based organizations, nonprofits, and community food banks to ensure that no resident in need goes without essential support.
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News4JAX went to a food distribution at Cavalry Baptist Church, where hundreds of people stood in line since very early to get some food.
“It’s just hard. I mean, I know it’s hard on everybody else too. I mean, it’s just, I never would have thought, you know, that I would be in a food pantry line, you know, to get food. But like I said, I had no other choice. And I’m sure other people feel the same way,” a resident told News4JAX.
CEO and President of Feeding Northeast Florida, Susan King, said the hardest thing to do is turn people away.
“We often have to do that. Our agency partners often have to do that. So it is so moving to know that you have helped somebody at a time when they are dealing with anxiety, uncertainty, fear often. I’m not going to feed my family,” King said.
As the stalemate continues, food aid, child care funds and countless other government services are being seriously interrupted, and hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been furloughed or expected to come to work without pay.