Jacksonville, FL – In the spirit of the season, today the Jacksonville Jaguars, Publix, PepsiCo and Feeding Northeast Florida provided Publix Holiday meal bags for 1,300 families, seniors and veterans in time for the holiday season. They were joined by supporting partners of hunger relief, Pajcic & Pajcic Law Firm, Century Ambulance and Stahl Meyer Foods.
The partners gathered in the West Club at TIAA Bank Field alongside Jaguars players, Jaxson de Ville and THE ROAR of the Jaguars, to distribute the meals to 28 community partners. They will in-turn deliver the food directly to area families, seniors and veterans. This is the eleventh year the Jaguars have donated Publix food bags across the Northeast Florida region.
"Feeding Northeast Florida provides essential meals to thousands of First Coast families all year long, and the Jaguars are honored to participate in their mission during of the holidays alongside our partners," said Jaguars President Mark Lamping. "Jacksonville is our home, and we believe in taking care of our own, which must begin with meeting the needs of those who struggle to put food on the table."
Volunteers from Feeding Northeast Florida assembled the food, filling Publix reusable holiday bags with 1,300 Publix holiday meals. Families will enjoy a mix of non-perishables, such as canned corn and green beans, stuffing mix, cornbread mix, gravy mix, and fresh foods, including potatoes, carrots, apples and oranges, along with candy canes and a box of cookies. Each family, senior and/or veteran will also receive a $10 Publix food card to buy a meat or other food item of their choice. In addition, PepsiCo will be providing Pepsi and Frito Lay products.
Dwaine Stevens, Media & Community Relations Manager at Publix, said, "Publix works year-round with Feeding Northeast Florida to provide food for hungry children and families. It is especially important at this time of year that we can partner with the Jaguars and PepsiCo to help ensure that every family can gather together for a warm meal during the holidays."
"As part of Pepsi's year-around hunger relief effort, we are proud to help provide meals to those in need in the Jacksonville community this holiday season," said Rich Panner, Vice President, Pepsi Beverages North America.
The Jaguars Foundation coordinated with the following nonprofit groups to receive Publix holiday food bags to distribute to families: 5 STAR Veterans Center, The Arc Jacksonville, Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County, Cathedral Residences, Ed White Leadership Academy, Englewood High School, Family Promise, Florida Survivor Outreach Services, Fresh Ministries, Girls Inc., Heart for Children, Tom Coughlin Jay Fund, JDRF, Jewish Family Community Services, L'Arche Harbor House, MaliVai Washington, Matthew Gilbert Middle School, Neighbor to Family, North East Florida Women's Veteran Group, Rethreaded, Salvation Army, Sanctuary on 8th Street, St. Demetrious Greek Orthodox Church, St. Gerard Campus, Sulzbacher Center, YMCA - Tiger Academy, Touchstone Village, USO of Greater Jacksonville, Wounded Warrior Project and Well Church.
"Our community has the resources to help bridge the hunger gap. Today, we are one step closer to that end," said Feeding Northeast Florida President and CEO, Susan King. "Children and families, veterans and seniors will have a more filling holiday due to this collaboration."
