Feeding Northeast Florida and Barnabas have been named the 2021 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders awardees for their work in the Jacksonville community providing access to basic needs and resources for those experiencing food insecurity.
As a Neighborhood Builder, each organization receives a $200,000 grant over two years.
Food insecurity affects nearly 240,000 people in Northeast Florida, according to Feeding America’s projections. Feeding Northeast Florida operates the largest, most efficient food bank serving St. Johns, Duval, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and counties.
The organization, which has served more than 2.8 million people, will use the funds to expand its fleet by one, and replace six-year-old refrigeration units on three other trucks.
Used as planned, 11,466,668 pounds of food annually will be transported by the four refrigerated box trucks having new refrigeration units, ensuring food freshness and viability.
“We are profoundly grateful to Bank of America for naming Feeding Northeast Florida a 2021 Neighborhood Builder’s award recipient as this recognition is especially meaningful as we continue to feel the economic impact of the pandemic and the increased need for food assistance in the communities we serve,” said Susan King, president and CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida. “The generous funds provided with this gift will help us continue to serve those who struggle to feed their families. Equally exciting is the opportunity for leadership development and peer engagement that will lead to new opportunities for our organization. Bank of America has long been a supportive partner in our work and we are thankful for this award.”
Since 2004, Bank of America has invested more than $280 million in 50 communities through Neighborhood Builders, partnering with more than 1,400 nonprofits and helping more than 2,800 nonprofit leaders strengthen their leadership skills.
