A deal to end the shutdown doesn’t mean everything goes back to normal -- many local families will still need help getting back on their feet.
That means local food banks will still need your help.
The Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry, or BEAM, is one of many local charities working to meet their daily demands on top of trying to help furloughed workers.
“Typically, we bring about 250 to 275 meals worth of items to the USO pantry. That increased to almost 4,000 recently,” said Lori Richards, executive director.
Richards said that kind of increase is putting a strain on their supply chain.
BEAM also has a partnership with Feeding Northeast Florida.
At the beginning of the shutdown Richards said they were able to respond quickly, thanks to leftover donations from last hurricane season. But now several of their shelves are starting to get bare, which is why they could use your help.
“We need to make sure that we have supplies that can meet the needs of what we do when the government is working, as well as this increase,” said Richards.
Action News Jax was there when a Wounded Warrior Project truck, filled with food and baby items, pulled up to BEAM.
“Teammates in the office just stepped up [and] started bringing in donations. Everything from food to diapers to pet food, it’s pretty impressive,” said Andrew Coughlan of the Wounded Warrior Project.
RELATED: Supply drive planned for Jacksonville Coast Guard families
Most of the donations from the Wounded Warrior Project will head to USO to assist Coast Guard families.
Not only is BEAM helping feed affected families but it’s also stepping up with financial support. So far Richards said they’ve helped an IRS employee from Mayport pay rent.
“We think that that sort of request is going to see an increase in the coming weeks even if things were to reopen tomorrow, it’s not going to be back to normal tomorrow,” said Richards.
BEAM needs shampoo, cereal, oatmeal, white rice, canned pasta sauce, canned tuna, instant mashed potatoes and peanut butter donations. They’re also taking monetary donations on their website www.jaxbeam.org.
To drop off donations visit BEAM’s 318 7th Avenue North location on Jax Beach until 4 p.m. Monday - Saturday.
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