ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – A homeless shelter and food pantry in St. Augustine has received an outpouring of support from the community to help serve families in need.
Workers and volunteers at St. Francis House said it was heartbreaking having to turn away families because their pantry was bare. But thanks to a social media post, they were able to give those families in need some food boxes Monday.
Most of St. Francis House's food donations come from schools and churches, which can make the summer months a struggle.
"During the summer, everybody goes home and everybody goes on vacation, and all of a sudden our food donations go down," St. Francis Assistant Director Karen Hensel said.
Just days ago, the mission's pantry was completely bare. But after a plea for help on Facebook, there was an outpouring of support from the community and now volunteers are filling the shelves and giving back.
"People are just so giving and we have had a remarkable response," Hensel said. "When people didn't bring food, they sent money."
St. Francis House offers housing, food and counseling services 365 days a year. It feeds anywhere from 70 to 120 people a day, gives out 300 food boxes a month and serves more than 65,000 meals a year.
Vernon "Rusty" Kerver, the kitchen manager at St. Francis, cooks many of the meals that feed the homeless. He never knows what will be on the shelves, and when ingredients are low, he has to get creative.
"You can't plan anything around here. It's just the way it is," Kerver said. "Yesterday was stew. The day before that was smothered pork chops, and today we got spaghetti with meat sauce."
Although Kerver works at St. Francis House, he can relate to those he serves.
"I used to be just like these guys, and this place saved my life," Kerver said. "I feel comfortable here and I like cooking for them here because they truly appreciate it."
St. Francis House is the only emergency shelter between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach. Officials said the donations they have received so far will probably only last about a month. But they said whether the shelves are stocked or empty, they will continue to give those who need it a helping hand.
"When they get a little help, even if it's just a meal, it's a real blessing," Hensel said.
"That's what's important: a little bit of dignity and feeling comfortable -- and a nice plate of food," Kerver said.
Mission officials said 98 percent of the food in the pantry comes from donations, which means they still need the community's help.
For the pantry, the mission accepts the following items:
- Canned Items, especially tuna, beans, fruit, canned or bottled tomato sauce
- Macaroni
- Rice
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Mayonnaise
- Salad dressings
- Vegetable oil
- Vinegar
- Powdered milk
- Juices
- Powdered drink mixes
- Coffee
- Tea
- Sugar/wweeteners
- Creamer
- Fresh vegetables and fruit
- Salt and pepper
- Sandwich bags
- Potholders
- Kitchen towels
- Vegetable peelers
- Hot/cold disposable cups
- Coffee filters
For more items the mission accepts or ways to volunteer, go to stfrancisshelter.org.