Programs that help address the region’s issues around food insecurity will be able to help more people through a multi-year grant from Bank of America. Feeding Northeast Florida and Barnabas have been named as the 2021 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders awardees for their work in Northeast Florida, providing access to basic needs and resources for those experiencing food insecurity.
As a Neighborhood Builder, each organization receives a $200,000 grant over two years, comprehensive leadership training for the executive director and an emerging leader on topics ranging from increasing financial sustainability, human capital management and strategic storytelling, joins a network of peer organizations across the U.S., and gets the opportunity to access capital to expand their impact. The program continues to be the nation’s largest investment into nonprofit leadership development. It is critical to help residents thrive as food insecurity affects nearly 240,000 individuals in Northeast Florida, based on Feeding America’s projections. Feeding Northeast Florida operates the largest, most efficient food bank serving Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties.
Barnabas is Nassau County’s only comprehensive service center that addresses access to basic needs to support stability, good health and well-being. Barnabas will use the funds to support its West Nassau Health Outreach Partnership, allowing the continued expansion of comprehensive health and social services to increase access to nutritious food and healthcare for lower income, uninsured adults living in rural areas of west Nassau County. The combination of flexible funding and leadership development resources will help Barnabas adapt to rapid growth and the increasing health care and social service needs in our county.
“As communities continue to recover and navigate a changing landscape, nonprofits are still experiencing significant demands and are in need of resources to help meet critical local needs like food insecurity and economic mobility,” Bank of America Jacksonville President Mark Bennett said. “Feeding Northeast Florida and Barnabas are helping bridge important gaps for individuals and families to help them chart a path toward economic opportunity and stability. Programs like Neighborhood Builders help these organizations grow sustainably and strategically for a greater positive impact in the community.”
“The Barnabas Center is honored to receive a Neighborhood Builders grant this year, which will allow us to focus and grow services and the workforce in rural areas that need our support to thrive,” Barnabas Center CEO Jamie Reynolds said. “The networking and professional opportunities created by this grant will foster growth in our administration and establish fellowship with others who are also looking to ask, how can I help my neighbor?”
“We are profoundly grateful to Bank of America for naming Feeding Northeast Florida a 2021 Neighborhood Builder’s award recipient as this recognition is especially meaningful as we continue to feel the economic impact of the pandemic and the increased need for food assistance in the communities we serve,” Feeding Northeast Florida President and CEO Susan King said.
Submitted by Bank of America
