PRE-SHUTDOWN LEVELS. WE’LL HAVE THAT REPORT FOR YOU COMING UP HERE AT HOME. WE’VE BEEN HIGHLIGHTING LOTS OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE STEPPING UP TO HELP THOSE THAT ARE REALLY STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW. WVTM 13 S BRYCE JOSLIN WENT TO JACKSONVILLE TO SEE HOW AN OUTREACH CENTER THERE IS WORKING TO FILL THE GAP. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE NEVER HAD TO GET ASSISTANCE BEFORE. WHEN THE SNAP BENEFITS RAN OUT, WE GOT IMMEDIATELY STARTED GETTING PHONE CALLS. ON AVERAGE, JACKSONVILLE’S CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTER FEEDS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE EVERY MONTH. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SUMMER JENNINGS SAYS PEOPLE ARE RELYING ON THEM NOW MORE THAN EVER. WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN A TIME WHERE THEY’RE NEEDING MORE FOOD BECAUSE OF THE SNAP BENEFITS, NOT REACHING THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS. IN JACKSONVILLE, CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTER HELPS FILL THE GAP FOR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO ASSIST THOSE IN NEED. DOROTHEA LAWSON WAS HERE TODAY PICKING UP SOME ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR HER GROUP PARENTS AS TEACHERS. BUT WITH THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, IT SCARES US. WE NEED FAMILIES THAT NEED FOOD AND RESOURCES FOR BILLS. AND THAT’S THE OUTREACH CENTER REACHES OUT TO HELP OTHERS. IT NEEDS YOUR HELP, TOO. WE HAVE AN AMAZING COMMUNITY HERE IN JACKSONVILLE. WE STEP UP WHEN EMERGENCIES ARISE AND OUR COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER AND DONATES EXACTLY WHAT YOU’RE SEEING ON OUR SHELVES RIGHT NOW. NONPERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS, CLEANING SUPPLIES, AND CASH ARE ALWAYS WELCOME. SO MONETARY IS ALWAYS A GOOD WAY TO HELP US OUT AND ALSO LITERALLY JUST DONATING AND WORD OF MOUTH IN JACKSONVILLE. BRYCE JOSLIN WVTM 13 AND BRYCE MENTIONED THAT YOU CAN DROP OFF DONATIONS AT JACKSONVILLE CHRISTIA
Jacksonville outreach center sees increased demand amid government shutdown
Jacksonville’s Christian Outreach Center is experiencing a surge in demand for food and resources due to the government shutdown and the depletion of SNAP benefits.
Updated: 10:35 PM CST Nov 12, 2025
Jacksonville’s Christian Outreach Center is experiencing increased demand for food and resources as the government shutdown and the depletion of SNAP benefits impact local families. Executive Director Summer Jennings said, “When the SNAP benefits ran out, we instantly started getting phone calls.”On average, the center feeds hundreds of people every month, and Jennings noted that more people are relying on them now more than ever. “We have more people who are in time where they’re needing more food because of the SNAP benefits not reaching their bank accounts,” Jennings said.The center also collaborates with other organizations to assist those in need. Dorthea Lawson, lead parent educator for Parents as Teachers, was at the center picking up essential items for her group. “With the government shutdown, it’s scarce. Families need food and resources for bills,” Lawson said.Jennings emphasized the importance of community support, saying, “We have an amazing community here in Jacksonville. We step up when emergencies arise, and our community comes together and donates exactly what you’re seeing on our shelves right now.”The center welcomes donations of non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, and cash. Jennings added, “Monetary is always a good way to help us out, and also literally just donating and word of mouth.”Here is a link to the organization’s website https://myjcoc.org/
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —
Jacksonville’s Christian Outreach Center is experiencing increased demand for food and resources as the government shutdown and the depletion of SNAP benefits impact local families. Executive Director Summer Jennings said, “When the SNAP benefits ran out, we instantly started getting phone calls.”
On average, the center feeds hundreds of people every month, and Jennings noted that more people are relying on them now more than ever. “We have more people who are in time where they’re needing more food because of the SNAP benefits not reaching their bank accounts,” Jennings said.
The center also collaborates with other organizations to assist those in need. Dorthea Lawson, lead parent educator for Parents as Teachers, was at the center picking up essential items for her group. “With the government shutdown, it’s scarce. Families need food and resources for bills,” Lawson said.
Jennings emphasized the importance of community support, saying, “We have an amazing community here in Jacksonville. We step up when emergencies arise, and our community comes together and donates exactly what you’re seeing on our shelves right now.”
The center welcomes donations of non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, and cash. Jennings added, “Monetary is always a good way to help us out, and also literally just donating and word of mouth.”
Here is a link to the organization’s website