VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVE
NO BAG HANDOUT - NO BAG COLLECTION - NO DRIVE-THROUGH
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2024 UPDATE
HOMELESSNESS, UNEMPLOYMENT/UNDEREMPLOYMENT, INFLATION, COST OF LIVING, RENT INCREASES AND GAS PRICES ARE LEAVING MANY PEOPLE IN DIRE STRAITS, FORCED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN FOOD, MEDICINE, OR SHELTER - PICK ANY TWO.
FOOD BANKS ARE REPORTING 50% MORE REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE IN 2024 COMPARED TO THE 2022 POST-PANDEMIC, WHICH WAS BAD ENOUGH. WITH THE OFFICIAL DECLARATION THAT "THE PANDEMIC IS OVER", MANY GOVERNMENT BENEFITS PROGRAMS HAVE STOPPED, LEAVING THOSE AT THE BOTTOM WITH FEWER RESOURCES.
MAKE A DONATION DIRECTLY TO ONE OF OUR LOCAL FOOD BANKS. THEY ESPECIALLY NEED CASH ASSISTANCE DURING THIS CRISIS.
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For the homeless and the jobless, life is another day of misery and worry. It's hard to go to www.sjcfl.us/Housing, www.sjhp.org or nfcaa.net for advice and assistance when you do not have wifi, internet access, a computer or electricity. Local social service agencies strive to meet these crisis needs, but are overwhelmed right now.
Cash/check/gift card donations are the most effective, allowing the food banks to purchase what they need to better help people in need. It could be a gift card to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy, baby formula, a tank of gas, medicine, or help with the rent.
There are many needs that cannot be met with a food drive.
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Please make your check payable to one of the following local ministries:
Catholic Charities P.O. Box 543
St. Augustine FL 32085-0543
St. Francis House 1375 Arapaho Ave
St. Augustine, FL 32084-4258
St. Johns Ecumenical Ministries P.O. Box #860191
St. Augustine, FL 32086-0191
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PLEASE DO NOT DROP CHECKS OFF AT THE CHURCH OR THE OFFICE. SEND ALL DONATIONS DIRECTLY TO THESE MINISTRIES (OR ANY
OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY THAT YOU WISH TO HELP).​​​​​
If you wish to make a donation directly without a stamp and an envelope, you can donate through their websites via credit card:
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http://ccbstaug.org/our-services
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https://www.stfrancisshelter.org
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http://www.stjohnsfoodpantry.org
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DONATIONS MAY ALSO BE MADE DIRECTLY TO ANY LEGITIMATE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY
Always check with www.charitynavigator.org to verify exactly how well a "charity" acts as a steward of your donations. Avoid those who have excessively large fund-raising and/or operational expenses. Look for those organizations with high financial and accountability scores. For example, click any of the following links for Charity Navigator's Top Ten:
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10 BEST CHARITIES NO ONE'S HEARD OF
Rating Charity Link
Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc.
The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
