Food drive helps hundreds of local families struggling during the pandemic

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Sandra Saez and her neighbor Claudia said they’re helping each other through the pandemic.

She described, “We are neighbors and friends, so, we cook for each other – she doesn’t like something I cook, she cooks.”

According to Saez sometime they have to choose between paying the bills and putting food on the table.

She explained, “I don’t have a job right now – I’m looking for something.”

Saez said of Claudia, “She’s got a family of five people. She’s out of a job too, her husband too.”

The pair agreed, when you’re out of work, a trunk full of food is a big help.

Stanley Barnes with Legacy Ministries said he sees hundreds in the same situation.

When he arrived at their food drive Thursday morning which started at 9 he said, “At 6:30 people were already here.”

His team loaded up local families with meal supplies thanks to their partnership with Farmshare.

Barnes said the food drives at their University Boulevard location serve 300 when held on weekdays and 600 on weekends.

He described, “With everybody either stuck at home because of COVID, can’t go to work or out of a job all together – this is a real lifeline.”

Saez agreed, it makes all the difference.

She said, “You don’t know what to say sometimes to these people, because they spend their time, everything, to help others.”

The next food drive is set for August 13 at Life Ministries located at 825 University Boulevard.

The drive starts at 9 a.m. but families will get a number when they arrive at the location.

Cox Media Group