Local

Homeless families in Jacksonville receive warm Christmas meal and visit from Santa

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Hundreds of people who are homeless this holiday season received a warm Christmas breakfast at the Sulzbacher Center.

The meal was served at both the downtown and village locations.

Action News Jax spent the Wednesday morning at Sulzbacher Village where the children got a special Christmas surprise after finishing breakfast: Santa Claus.

It’s what every kid inside Sulzbacher Village had been waiting for including George Nelson’s children.

The smiles on their faces are what this father of three told us means the world to him.

“It makes me happy,” Nelson said.

One by one, all of the children living at Sulzbacher Village woke up early and started their day off being served a warm breakfast complete with pancakes, sausage, eggs and more.

Volunteers like Sam Stephens hit the kitchen early to start preparing all the food for the hungry families

It’s Stephen's first year helping out Sulzbacher on Christmas and he wanted to make a difference.

“Just trying to help out people. It’s just whatever it takes,” Stephens said.

Students like 12-year-on Bryon Jefferson also wanted to get involved and help others on Christmas.

“I feel good that they’re getting presents. I helped other people. They have presents and they have food so, yeah, it’s the thought that counts,” Bryon said.

Sulzbacher is making sure more than 70 kids get presents, a chance to meet Santa Claus and to take a photo as a family.

The organization tells us that many of these families are just struggling to survive every day and can’t afford presents, but this event gives those living in the shelter a chance to have a real Christmas and spend time with their families for the holiday season.

For information on how to get involved, click here.