JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — According to Feeding North East Florida, at least 171,000 people living on the First coast are food insecure, that’s why one local non-profit Lutheran Social Services is stepping up its efforts to help feed a need with a new food pantry concept.
"We feel if you're here and you have a need we want to serve your need," said Mary Strickland, president of Lutheran Social Services. The local non-profit is changing the way it helps feed those in need. Instead of prepared food bags, the new pantry allows anyone to come in and pick out their own groceries.
"People can come in with a shopping cart, take the items that they want," she said. "They can have fresh produce, they can have meat condiments per food so it’s a completely different shopping experience for people who are coming to the food pantry.
They call it 'client choice', the new concept is the first of its kind on the Southside.
"This pantry has helped me because it’s a sense of giving back to help me with the building I live in," said senior citizen Reuben Stevens. Stevens lives on a fixed income and added that the pantry is a step in the right direction.
"From a nourishment point, before if you were just on a fixed income you only got what you could afford to get, but when you come here where you can come and choose, it's a great asset," said Strickland. "You’re able to deal with nourishment that’s very important."
The pantry is open five days a week to anyone in need regardless of income no questions asked. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10A.M.-Noon. Tuesday and Thursday, from 3:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M. 4615 Philips Hwy, Jacksonville, FL 32207.
"This is much better for people because also they have dignity they can shop and get what they want to eat everyone has their own taste everyone wants to eat their own kind of food so we help them," Strickland said.
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