Every month, roughly 57,000 households in Duval County rely on SNAP to put food on the table. This translates to approximately 160,000 people who depend on SNAP.
The average benefit is about $190 per person per month. And, that money doesn’t just feed families—it fuels Jacksonville’s economy.
Nearly $30 million dollars in benefits are spent each month at local retailers, most of it flowing through grocery stores and food manufacturers that employ Jacksonville residents. That puts more than $50 million dollars into our local economy.
So, when SNAP benefits are cut, the pain ripples far beyond the checkout line, because the face of hunger isn’t abstract. It’s our neighbors: kids, seniors, teachers, veterans, and working parents.
The City had already been working hard to address food insecurity prior to the partial loss of SNAP benefits, but now more than ever, more must be done – and the way to do so is through collaboration.
“In Jacksonville, our promise is simple: we take care of all our people,” said Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. “Our city has a big heart, so let’s make sure that no child in Jacksonville goes to bed hungry, no senior is left to choose between food and medicine, and no veteran has to stand in a food line after serving our country.”
The Duval Care Coalition represents a shared commitment to compassion, collaboration, and service. By pooling resources and coordinating efforts, its members can provide meals, food pantry services, and volunteer assistance to families and individuals experiencing hunger throughout Duval County.
“Hunger is not just a policy issue; it is a human one,” said Jacksonville City Councilman Ken Amaro. “It affects everyone. So, as a community we have to lean in on each other to fight hunger during this SNAP crisis.”
To that end, residents can visit jacksonville.gov/duvalcarecoalition to seek assistance or find out how to donate. This site will be updated as additional partners and programs are confirmed.
To learn more, visit: Jacksonville.gov - Duval Care Coalition.
To view today’s announcement, visit: Duval Care Coalition Launch.