Danny Federico
reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Life happens and, sometimes, it gets hard to make ends meet. Especially with the rising unemployment rate coming from the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020, families have found it increasingly difficult to be financially secure. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people who permanently lost their jobs increased by 188,000 to 1.4 million in August compared to 1.2 million in July. This has led to many families having difficulty putting food on the table. In times such as these, it helps to know many churches in the area have food ministries to provide non-perishable items to families in need.
Here are a few of the ministries and food pantries available in the tri-county area:
Hamilton County
• New Bethel AME Church
604 SW 6th St., Jasper, Fla.
Food distribution every third Saturday of each month from 9 .m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Jasper Little Free Food Pantry
1153 US Hwy 41, Jasper, Fla.
Take what you need, leave what you can.
Suwannee County
• Christ Central Ministries
15445 US 129, Live Oak, Fla.
Food distribution every first and third Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
• First Baptist Church of Live Oak in partnership with Love INC.
401 W Howard St., Live Oak, Fla.
Food distribution every Monday and Wednesday from 9:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Live Oak African Baptist Church
502 Walker Ave., Live Oak, Fla.
Food distribution every third Friday of each month, beginning at 9 a.m.
• Mt. Gilead Baptist Church
18305 56th St., Live Oak, Fla.
Food distribution every second and fourth Saturday of each month from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• St. Lukes Episcopal Church
401 W Howard St., Live Oak, Fla.
Food distribution every Monday and Thursday from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Live Oak Little Free Food Pantry
915 Nobles Ferry Rd., Live Oak, Fla.
Take what you need, leave what you can.
• O'Brien Baptist Church
9544 E CR 349, O'Brien, Fla.
Food distribution every third Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Branford Little Free Food Pantry
502 SW Suwannee Ave., Branford, Fla.
Take what you need, leave what you can.
Lafayette County
• Mayo Little Free Food Pantry
311 NE Crawford St., Mayo, Fla.
Take what you need, leave what you can.
• Seven Gables Food Pantry
857 E Main St., Mayo, Fla.
Food distribution every third Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
If you know of a food pantry that isn't listed, reach out to Danny Federico at reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com or at (386) 364-4141 with the location and operation hours.