JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Shelves at the Nourishment Network Market are stocked full of food, and families can decide what they want to eat.
Mary Strickland with Lutheran Social Services told Action News Jax, “I think people are realizing that the old food pantry model is just not customized enough for the clients we’re seeing.”
On Thursday, Lutheran Social Services opened the first consumer choice food pantry in Jacksonville’s southside.
Volunteers told Action News Jax they enjoy the approach because it allows more interaction with community members.
Strickland explained, “For people who need this food bank, it’s more dignity for them, it’s more choice for them. So, they can come in, they can pick what they want, and they can eat what they want.”
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“To me, this is one of the greatest programs I’ve ever seen,” volunteer Richard Bailey said.
He said this is a compassionate, much-needed shift in food pantry services.
According to Bailey, “It would give me pride to be able to go somewhere and not have someone hand me something in a bag.”
Organization leaders said they had already noticed a spike in clients in the short time since the pantry opened.
Lutheran Social Services accepts donations at their location on 4615 Philips Highway, Jacksonville, Florida 32207