Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM) distributed 1,130 Thanksgiving meal kits to families in need last week during its annual holiday distribution.
With many local residents struggling from the economic effects of COVID-19 disruptions, organizers had set a goal to assist 1,000 families through the Thanksgiving Basket Program. That’s twice the number of basket recipients served in 2019.
But volunteers and staff exceeded this goal.
The effort was conducted in partnership with St. Paul’s Catholic Church at Father Murphy Hall in Jacksonville Beach. Baskets were distributed drive-through style and through deliveries.
The organization encouraged the community to get involved by dropping off Thanksgiving meal kits with nonperishable food items and a grocery store gift card or by sponsoring a basket via their website. The community rallied and brought hundreds of pre-assembled baskets to Father Murphy Hall and raised more than $27,000. Monetary donations helped BEAM purchase Thanksgiving food items in bulk and will assist the organization in keeping the food pantry shelves stocked through the holidays.
Thanksgiving meal kit recipients include BEAM food pantry and emergency financial assistance clients, beaches area residents in need, seniors in BEAM’s case management program, Pablo Hamlet and Pablo Towers residents and active military families via the Jacksonville USO.
“For a family living paycheck to paycheck, the holidays can be particularly stressful,” said Patsy Garcia, BEAM’s director of social services. “As many are still struggling financially due to COVID-19, we are grateful that the community stepped up to help us meet the increased demand. No one was turned away, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make that possible.”
