Jacksonville, FL –In the spirit of the holiday season, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Publix, PepsiCo, Feeding Northeast Florida and Pajcic and Pajcic partnered to provide food for 1,200 families, seniors and veterans in time for the holidays.
Yesterday morning, Jaguars players along with JAXSON de Ville, members of THE ROAR, representatives from the Jaguars, Publix, PepsiCo, Feeding Northeast Florida and Pajcic and Pajcic gathered in the US Assure Club at EverBank Field to distribute 250 Publix holiday meals to local nonprofit organizations. They will in-turn deliver the food directly to area families, seniors and veterans. The remaining 950 Publix holiday meals will be delivered by Feeding Northeast Florida directly to nonprofits for distribution. This is the ninth year the Jaguars have donated Publix food to families in need across the Northeast Florida region.
"Feeding Northeast Florida provides thousands of meals for families throughout the year, and the Jaguars are honored to participate in their mission during this time of year," said Jaguars President Mark Lamping. "Jacksonville is our home, and we believe in taking care of our own. If we can bring joy by providing a holiday meal to families in need, then our holiday wish is fulfilled."
Volunteers from Feeding Northeast Florida assembled the food, filling Publix reusable holiday bags with 1,200 Publix holiday meals. Families will enjoy a mix of non-perishables, such as canned corn and green beans, stuffing mix, cornbread mix, gravy mix, a family size bag of Frito Lay chips, 2 liter bottles of Pepsi Zero Sugar and Lipton Brisk Tea; and fresh foods, including potatoes, carrots, apples and oranges, along with candy canes and 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.
Dwaine Stevens, Media & Community Relations Manager at Publix, said, "Publix works year-round 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."
"We're proud to partner with the Jaguars, Publix, and Feeding Northeast Florida to help provide meals to those in need in the Jacksonville community this holiday season," said Rich Panner, vice president, PepsiCo, Southeast region.
The Jaguars Foundation coordinated with the following non-profit organizations to distribute the food: Touchstone Village, Wounded Warrior, 5 Star Veterans Center, NE Florida Women's Veterans Group, Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Daytona Beach and the Sulzbacher Center. In addition, the following non-profit groups will be receiving food bags: Andrew Jackson High School, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County, Fresh Ministries Eastside Center, Heart for Children, MaliVai Washington, Sanctuary on 8th Street, St. Gerard of St. Augustine, Cathedral Residences, Matthew Gilbert Middle School, The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund, Girls Inc., Family Promises, Neighbor to Family, Rethreaded, WeCans, Yellow House, FL Survivor Outreach Services, The Exchange Club Family Center, Well Church and Barnabus Center of Nassau County, Inc.
"Our community has the resources to help bridge the hunger gap. Partnership is integral to this solution. Thanks to the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation, Publix, PepsiCo and Pajcic and Pajcic, we are one step closer to that end," said Feeding Northeast Florida Interim CEO, Frank Castillo. "Children and families, veterans and seniors will have a more filling holiday due to this collaboration."
