In a 20-minute speech, Poe shared the city’s accomplishments and failures, with occasional cameos from city commissioners and local leaders. He discussed topics from homelessness to social justice.
WUFT News fact checked and added context to some of the statements the city included in the address:
(Mayor Lauren Poe:) In the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd, organizers worked cooperatively to work with city community members, including the Gainesville Police Department, to hold peaceful and powerful demonstrations, continuing Gainesville’s long-standing commitment to protecting our neighbors’ right to peacefully protest.
Fact check: Gainesville was one of about 30 U.S. cities that held a “March for Our Freedom” protest in May following Floyd’s death. Organizers urged the community to stay peaceful and use the event as an opportunity to spark awareness of police brutality. After the event, William John Connelly drove his car into protesters, according to police.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, His Compassion Food Bank isn’t hard to find. Just look for the line of cars parked adjacent to northeast Jacksonville Road.
The line often stretches up to three-quarters of a mile back toward County Road 326 as people wait in the outreach’s food distribution drive-through car line.
In 2020, His Compassion volunteers took in and then distributed over 13 million pounds of food in the drive-throughs and also provided bulk amounts of food for 82 local community agencies and churches. Food bank officials say this year is starting off with increased need spurred by the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are seeing people come through our car line for the first time needing food because they lost their job. The need for nutritious food especially for children has also increased greatly in the remote areas of the county, said Les Bowen, secretary- treasurer for His Compassion.
Farm Share sets 3 food distributions this week
News4Jax staff
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Farm Share announces plans to distribute food in the Jacksonville area later this week.
Food-insecure Floridians will receive fresh produce and non-perishable canned goods at three drive-thru-only events to minimize contact and ensure the safety of all parties, and attendees must wear a mask
and arrive in a vehicle with a trunk or cargo bed.
Events this week:
Thursday: 5 p.m. until supplies are gone - Wilkinson Jr. High, 5025 County Road 218, Middleburg
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. until supplies are gone - City Councilman Reggie Gaffney and State Rep. Wyman Duggan sponsor a giveaway at 9238 103rd St., Jacksonville
Farm Share schedules more food distributions in Northeast Florida
News4Jax staff
Updated:
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Farm Share, one of Florida’s leading food nonprofits distributing food to food-insecure residents, announced Monday five food distributions this week in Northeast Florida.
Recipients will receive fresh produce and non-perishable canned goods. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, distributions are drive-thru only to minimize contact and ensure the safety of all parties, and attendees must wear a mask
and arrive in a vehicle with a trunk or cargo bed.
Tuesday, Feb. 9, from 8:30 a.m. until supplies last at American Legion Post 250, 3939 County Road 218 in Middleburg
Recipients will receive fresh produce and non-perishable canned goods. Author: First Coast News Staff Published: 10:46 AM EST January 25, 2021 Updated: 11:56 AM EDT March 19, 2021
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. An updated list of where people can access free fresh produce and non-perishable canned goods on the First Coast.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of these distributions might be drive-thru only.
Free Food Events
Date: Saturday, March 20, 2021, from 8 a.m. until supplies last
Location: 84 Knight Boxx Road, Orange Park, Fla. 32065
Event: Farm Share food distribution with The Optimus Literacy Institute of America, Inc.
Date: Saturday, March 20, 2021, from 9 a.m. until supplies last
Location: 2538 Firestone Road, Jacksonville, Fla. 32210