![]( "Hilliard resident Raymond Jones receives food staples from volunteer Samantha Hamilton.")
Hilliard resident Raymond Jones receives food staples from volunteer Samantha Hamilton.
Grocery staples were handed out to area families June 21.
The joint effort with United Way of Northeast Florida and Farm Share, Feeding Northeast Florida was part of a “Day of Action, Nourishing Northeast Florida” that included simultaneous food distributions in Nassau, Duval, Clay, Baker and St. Johns counties.
The food distribution to help fill food gaps in Callahan was enough to assist 150 families. It included milk, pork loins, chicken, orange juice, canned foods and dry goods.
Full Life Ministries at 540223 U.S. 1 hosted the giveaway that began at 8:30 a.m. in a neighboring parking lot near Ratliff Road.
Bishop Jonathan Graham said, “We do a food pantry in Jacksonville and we wanted to do one in Callahan. We just enjoy feeding people.”
The five-county food giveaway provided enough items to assist 1,000 families.
“We’re really pleased to come together to help people in need,” said Erica La Spada, United Way of Northeast Florida’s manager of volunteers and community engagement.
Volunteers like Amy Dyar unloaded boxes, greeted residents and filled waiting arms, boxes and carts with bags of food. She served in Nassau County before retiring from her job with United Way. She returned to the area to give back.
“I feel a special love in my heart for Nassau and it means a lot, too,” she said.