On the fourth Tuesday of October, four days before credits are cut off, 325 families were served, according to organizers.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As the federal government shutdown stretches on, the effects are hitting home for families who rely on food assistance.
In just four days, SNAP and EBT credits will be cut off, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture warning there’s not enough federal funding to cover those benefits.
That financial uncertainty is already being felt in Jacksonville, where the NAS Jax Food Farmacy saw an overwhelming turnout Tuesday morning.
Usually, the event serves about 100 to 125 families every month, but that number has steadily increased in recent months. At the Mayport location, the team served 225 families earlier this month — nearly double the usual demand.
On the fourth Tuesday of October, four days before credits are cut off, 325 families were served, according to organizers.
Run by the City of Jacksonville’s Military Affairs and Veterans Department (MAVD) in partnership with Feeding Northeast Florida and Catholic Charities, the drive-up food distribution was meant to serve active-duty military families. But as the morning went on, no one in need was turned away.
“We serve until the last car or until we’re out of food,” MAVD’s Chip Harper said.
A steady line of vehicles wrapped around Collins Road, filled with families grateful for a little extra help. Volunteers arrived before sunrise to unload trucks, sort donations, and fill bags with fresh produce, meats, vegetables, and bread.
“The truck pulls up, we put everything in bags, sort it out, figure out how much is given out per family,” Harper explained. “At 10 o’clock, everyone starts lining up, and we have a line curling around three times. It stays busy from the time we start.”
Organizers say most of those coming through are active-duty service members — often stopping by during their lunch breaks, still in uniform.
Harper explained, “That’s why we have it between 10 and 12. We try not to be a nuisance with the traffic.”
“Feeding Northeast Florida is here to serve the community of Jacksonville,” he added. “Anybody in line — we’re here to serve them, until we’re out of supplies.”
As food prices climb and federal benefits face cuts, demand is only expected to grow. Harper said the team plans to keep showing up as long as they have the resources to meet the need.
Thanks to a recent donation from the Jaguars Foundation, the program will soon expand. Starting December 1, the Food Farmacy will operate twice a month at both NAS Jax and Mayport, doubling its reach for military families and neighbors alike.
The NAS Jax Food Farmacy takes place every fourth Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon at 5391 Collins Road. Families with a valid military ID can attend, and all others in need are welcome while supplies last.