JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Northeast Florida area first responders are teaming up Saturday morning with Farmshare to help families in need.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and Florida Highway Patrol are partnering with Farmshare for a mass food giveaway at Regency Square Mall.
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The giveaway is from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday on the J.C. Penney side of the mall.
The goal is to feed 1,000 families, which is a tall order, but the organizers said they know they can handle it.
They want as many people as possible to know about it ahead of time, so they can head over and take part. The donations will be given first come, first served, so head over early if you want to participate.
Healthy, sustainable food is on the menu Saturday, including spaghetti sauce, spinach and beef stew.
There's also bags of non-food items people need, like lotion, shampoo and soap.
Not only do organizers see this as a chance to feed the community, but for the first responders, it's an opportunity to send a message.
"We want people to know we care about you. We truly care about you. We truly care about your families,” JSO Director Tony Davis said.
David Livingston of Farmshare said he couldn't be happier to team up with the “good guys.”
"Our police and fire department help the community in ways that often get overlooked. They do a lot with charities,” he said. "It means so much to me to be able to give back to the community, to our country, our state. I feed one family at a time, but I feed thousands of families every day."
They all agree it takes lots of hard work and enthusiasm to make a difference through a great partnership.
"They're able to help us,” Livingston said, “and I am happy that we're able to help them do this.”