Catholic Charities Jacksonville is hosting a Summer Hunger Backpack Program to help feed Jacksonville students while they’re out of school. From June 1 to Aug. 3, Catholic Charities will provide free groceries to kids under 18 through its Arlington food pantry.
The pantry will serve up to 100 students every Monday from 10 a.m. to noon at 1430 Bernita St., Jacksonville.
There is no cost or sign-up requirement, but students must present a report card or student ID to receive a food bag. Bags are available on a first-come, first-served basis. They will contain staples like fruit, meat, pasta, milk and snacks.
“Summer hunger is a real crisis for Jacksonville families, and we want every child to know there is a place they can turn,” said Eileen Seuter, regional director of Catholic Charities Jacksonville. “No child should go hungry just because school is out.”
The need for food assistance in the Jacksonville community continues to increase every year. Inflated grocery prices make putting food on the table this summer more difficult than in years past. More than 93,000 children in the First Coast region are food insecure, according to Feeding Northeast Florida. And the summer months, when school meals disappear, are among the hardest.
Catholic Charities expressed gratitude for its collaboration with Feeding Northeast Florida and Baptist Health for making the Summer Hunger Backpack Program possible. The program is an extension of Catholic Charities’ existing food assistance program.
For those looking to help, Catholic Charities Jacksonville welcomes monetary donations at CCBJax.org/donate.
