As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, Barnabas is doing everything we can to ensure the health and safety or our customers, staff, volunteers, clients, patients and community, especially during this flu season. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have followed CDC guidelines and stringent requirements for wearing masks and social distancing in our food distributions and facilities, including our New To You Resale store. We will continue to adhere to these requirements to do our part to protect the health of all people in our community, especially those who are most vulnerable. Click the button below for more information about this requirement.
Barnabas Center continues to be on the front lines responding to the needs of Nassau County residents who are affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Barnabas helps people who are hungry or food insecure, need financial assistance, or who are uninsured and need medical and dental care. If you or someone you know needs help, you are urged to contact Barnabas Center at (904) 261-7000. You will be given detailed information that will guide you to the services you need.
“The ongoing pandemic has resulted in Barnabas experiencing a 300% increase in people needing services for basic needs such as food, including more than half of those people who have never before needed help,” said Wanda Lanier, Barnabas CEO. “The most significant factor has been the sudden loss of jobs at the start of the pandemic, which continues today with the county’s 15% unemployment rate. Many people are still struggling and unable to pay bills and feed their families. By providing food, financial assistance for rent, mortgage and utility payments, and health care Barnabas helps stabilize individuals and families until they can return to work.”
Callahan resident Jodie and her husband adopted 10 children, ages 5-13, from two families to keep the siblings together. They had been fostering and made the long-term commitment to these children in need. Then, the coronavirus pandemic drastically changed the course of their lives.
Jodie was working as a substitute teacher and had two other part-time jobs. But, like so many individuals in Nassau County, she became unemployed without much notice. Her husband is also unemployed. How do you feed 10 children without an income? Jodie learned about Barnabas’ numerous food distributions, including weekly food assistance at First Baptist Church in Callahan, and said she is deeply grateful that Barnabas helped her through a tough time.
“Barnabas is a lifesaver,” said Jodie. “The fresh produce has been great and I’m able to also pick up canned goods like peanut butter, apple sauce, and tuna. Feeding a family of 12 was going okay when I was working, but I couldn’t have done it without Barnabas’ support.”
Last year, over 200,000 meals of healthy food were provided to more than 4,000 food insecure households. The number of households in need more than tripled as the negative economic effect of the pandemic increased in 2020. Through established partnerships, (including Feeding Northeast Florida, Elm Street Sportsmans Association, Hilliard Baptist Church, Bryceville Baptist Church, Springhill Baptist Church, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Greater Mt. Pleasant Missionary Church, River Road Baptist Church and Mt. Olive Baptist Church) Barnabas provided fresh produce, dairy and meats to people in need. We are grateful to all our supporters and community partners that continue to help us meet the needs of our neighbors during these extraordinary times.
Barnabas continues to operate mobile food distributions throughout Nassau County. In addition, Barnabas offers a drive-through service distribution three days per week of pre-bagged food items at our main office (1303 Jasmine Street, Fernandina Beach). The schedule for weekly food assistance is posted HERE.
“We also continue to provide financial assistance to help individuals and families affected by the pandemic with rent, mortgage, utility and other essential bill payments. Since April, we’ve helped 167 households with financial assistance, totaling $199,618,” said Lanier. “Although there has been a moratorium on rental evictions, the amount of past due rent will become due when the moratorium is lifted. So, it is important that renters seek assistance now to avoid potential homelessness, if they are unable to pay past due rent.”
Nassau County neighbors who are being impacted by the pandemic can contact Barnabas to get connected to the help they need. For more information, call the Barnabas main office at (904) 261-7000, OR you can visit our website at www.BarnabasNassau.org.
To make a donation, click the button below OR contact Tania Yount, Chief Development Officer at (904) 261-7000 ext. 107 (office) OR tyount@barnabasnassau.org.
