The Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry staff and volunteers remain resilient to continue to serve families in Jacksonville’s Beaches area communities who have been hard-hit by the economic impact of COVID-19. The nonprofit organization is working to ensure the most at-risk populations have access to emergency services, while adhering to recommendations from the CDC, the Florida Department of Health and local authorities.
Last month, BEAM assisted a total of 69 households with overdue bills, and by April 7 has already assisted 70 households with emergency rent assistance. The nonprofit organization expects this number will continue to climb rapidly and is actively seeking funds to support this growing financial need. In addition, BEAM continues to provide food to families and COVID-19 victims, and last week alone, they distributed more than 13,000 meals to the high-risk populations in Jacksonville’s beaches area communities.
“What a blessing for the residents!” said Ellen Hopkins, service coordinator at Pablo Towers Senior Living Facility. “The residents and I were amazed at the gift of pre-prepared food. You were so wonderful to share your donation with us. Every time I see the residents they just say, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you!’”
BEAM started a “Virtual Food Drive” due to the outpouring of inquiries from the community asking for ways to help families in need. They are asking for no food donations to be dropped off by the public at this time to minimize personal contact. More information on the Virtual Food Drive can be found on BEAM’s website at www.jaxbeam.org/covid19-donations.
