This is the GO TO place for any donation you may have. Unlike most local nonprofits, LSS will…read moreaccept most, if not all, unused items - and very graciously too. (Think personal hygiene products, unopened food supplies, etc). If you are in need of services, trust LSS to take care of you. Their food pantry is newly renovated and capable of serving many families daily (M-F). It's set up like a full-service grocery store! Frozen meat, refrigerated dairy, boxed meals, and many cultural choices also.

Miss Heidi and the pastor is absolutely exceptional. Unfortunately they don't serve anybody but…read moreOrange Park in Fleming Island area as a Middleburg resident. They said they don't get food packages just clothing.

I recently visited the Clothes Closet and Food Pantry of Orange Park while my son was playing…read morebaseball at a nearby park. Since I'm new to the area, I wanted to explore the neighborhood, and when I saw their sign, I became curious. I wasn't sure if they operated like Goodwill or the Salvation Army, so I entered, hoping to learn more about what they do. Now, for context, I'm a 5'2" Asian female, carrying nothing but my sun hat--no bags or anything else. As I stepped inside, I noticed a bulletin board and took a moment to read the materials posted there. After that, I walked a few feet toward an area where people were sitting, seemingly waiting for their turn to enter the main floor to pick out clothes and household items. You could call it a reception or waiting area. As I stood there, simply observing the environment and the process, an older lady approached me and asked what I was doing there. I replied, "I'm just browsing." Then, out of nowhere, a younger staff member suddenly hollered at me from an inside office in a hostile tone, telling me I wasn't supposed to be there. I was shocked by this reaction. I was simply standing outside the main area, reading posted information and observing--nothing disruptive or inappropriate. Instead of being welcoming or helpful, the staff treated me with suspicion and unnecessary hostility for no valid reason. This kind of reaction seems completely out of place for a charity whose mission is to serve and assist the community. If they are so quick to act hostile toward someone who is just looking in, I can't help but wonder how they treat those who actually need their services. I hope Clothes Closet and Food Pantry of Orange Park reconsiders its approach to interacting with the public. A more welcoming and understanding attitude would be much more in line with their mission.

I volunteered at the City Rescue Mission in Jacksonville last week by serving lunch to residents…read more Having no experience with the organization I thought I was going to a soup kitchen. This place was so much more! The City Rescue Mission opened in 1946 and helps support people in NE Florida struggling with homelessness, hunger and substance abuse. The residents go through a program offering food, shelter, clothing, bible study as well as education and life skills development classes. I pulled up to a gate, gave my name and my license plate number prior to entering the grounds. I signed in upon entering the building and met up with two women I was volunteering with. They began to explain what we would be doing as I followed them to the dining hall. We put on aprons and gloves and began setting the tables with napkins and forks. We asked the residents if they wanted water or juice and served them. And once the food was ready we brought it to their tables. The residents were kind and grateful. Andrew, the head chef, graduated from the program and has been working as the chef for the past five years. What an inspiration! The City Rescue Mission offers hope to those in desperate need. They depend on generous donations from churches and other organizations. I learned they run a thrift shop and have a hard time getting volunteers on the weekends. They also have a chocolate shop and make candy to sell in local restaurants to raise money. You can buy their brownies at The Loop. After my shift ended I left feeling hopeful for the futures of everyone I met. And I also want to come back and volunteer again!

So I was donating all house hold furniture, everything in a home. Had someone schedule to come out…read moreand pick everything up with a truck. Was late so I called and there was a message that they were not picking up at any home because they were relocating their business to another location. NOT EVEN A PHONE CALL. I would not recommend this organization if your moving out of a home.

Recently my company volunteered at the Sulzbacher Center to prepare and serve lunch to those in…read moreneed. And believe me, there are a lot of people in need at this center; from homeless living on the streets of downtown Jacksonville to the few residents that live at the Sulzbacher. It is not a pretty sight at all, so we who are fortunate enough should give our time and effort to help these people. We can change lives! The kitchen at the Sulzbacher is small, but has everything you would find in a professional restaurant kitchen. The food that local businesses and individuals donate is what the staff here has to work with. So it's also important that they receive donations to help keep the center open. I will say if volunteering at Sulzbacher parking can be a real nightmare, like every other place downtown. So you'll probably have to park on Catherine St like we did. Remember love your neighbor no matter what!

Sulzbacher is a wonderful non-profit serving the most needy in our community. Please consider…read moredonating to keep their kitchen stocked and their extraordinary services for the homeless ongoing well into the future.

I dropped some food donations here and was greeted by wonderful, friendly faces!…read more They're full up on clothing and home items, but always accepting food. They walked me back to talk with the cooks and everything. They were really appreciative of my small offering, but I hear this mission directly benefits the homeless in the area so anything helps! I'd recommend for sure !

Here to do volunteer work. The Clara white mission center does a great service for the needy people…read morein the Jacksonville area. They are located on Ashley Street. Please volunteer if you have some time. You'll find it very rewarding.

Friday, August 01, 2025…read more I'm writing to share a disappointing experience my spouse and I had at the USO located at NAS Jacksonville. As a military family, we've always appreciated the mission and values of the USO--to support and uplift service members and their families--but unfortunately, our visit left us feeling disrespected, unwelcome, and possibly even discriminated against. We came in to inquire about Jacksonville Jaguars tickets. Upon entering, we noticed a staff member named Marge warmly hugging and greeting another guest. This made us feel that the environment was friendly and welcoming. However, when Marge saw us, her demeanor changed. She asked why we were there, and we said we were just inquiring about the tickets. She immediately responded, "Did you check in?"--in a noticeably different tone. We then checked in as instructed and selected "Travel and Information" and "Food" on the kiosk. Another elderly staff member (not Marge) kindly approached us to explain that the deadline for the Jaguars tickets had passed. She then offered us drinks and snacks, which we appreciated. When my husband asked what drinks were available (more out of politeness than anything else), she kindly invited us to follow her to the fridge, explaining it was easier to show us than list them all. After grabbing two Sprites, she asked if we'd like bread. As we followed her to where the bread was located, we passed by Marge, who suddenly snapped at us, saying, "Go ahead and hurry up!! We're busy here!! Go ahead and pick and then go!!" We were shocked by her tone and words. Even the woman assisting us was visibly taken aback and commented, "Marge!" My husband immediately took my hand and said, "Let's go." As we were walking out, we heard Marge make a comment along the lines of, "People don't come here just to shop," which felt like an unfair and unnecessary judgment. The entire experience left us feeling embarrassed, humiliated, and deeply disrespected. We couldn't help but wonder if her treatment toward us was rooted in bias--especially in contrast to the warm, friendly way she treated the guest before us. We came in simply seeking information and maybe a small treat, and instead, we left feeling hurt and unwelcome. This is not what the USO stands for, and it's disheartening to experience such behavior from someone representing your organization. We hope this feedback is taken seriously, not just for us, but for the sake of every military family who deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported when they walk into a USO facility.

I've been to many USO locations, but this one was by far the worst. The employees were rude and…read moreshowed a complete lack of professionalism. I'd rather donate elsewhere than support a place that just pretends to help.

The JAF is a great group that holds many charity events here at their headquarters on Stockton…read moreStreet in Riverside. They occupy a now-defunct firehouse on one side of the street (with the old brick training tower) and a church on the other side of the street. They hold food truck events, chili cook offs, car shows, and are the voting station for my area of Riverside. They have put a lot of money into rehabbing the main meeting hall on the church side, making it safe and welcoming. I was voting here many years ago when it was a church, and sadly run down, and truly appreciate what they've done for the voters in allowing us use of their hall. I do hope that someone repairs their parking lot, it's horrible. Be careful entering and exiting the church side.

I attended the Firefighters Food Truck Rally today. I really don't know why they didn't post the…read moreline up till the last couple of days. But, There was 8 trucks there today. Everyone from the Fusion Truck with Chef Ashley cranking out her Indian/Asian fusion stuff to What's the Catch floating some very tasty morsels for your taste buds. The Loving cup was also there serving up some really sweet smoothie's and coffees. I also saw the bare 2nd truck (stark white) of the Baby's Bad Ass Burger. You also had some regular trucks out like Craving Z's, Le Petite Cup Cakes and Lewey's crab truck. I did notice a new comer to town was the Soup to Nut's truck from Gainesville and a brand new truck out for the first time. The What's the scoop truck which is literally to children's truck of What's The Catch. I did pick out my favorite trucks and munched out. Without leaving my wife out I brought her some tasty morsels also. So to everyone that needs a firefighter (and that's everyone breathing) you need to come down and help out with this cause.

The Florida Christian Center is the non-profit "providing ministry and pastoral care, worship…read moreservices, classes on faith and aging, and other programs focused on the spiritual health of the residents of the Florida Christian Apartments and Sundale Manor." They do have people on the board that are part of the community and are actively working to carry out this mission. I had the pleasure of speaking to one of them at the last "Taste of Murray Hill" event a couple of weeks ago. He told me the FCA was a independent living community as opposed to assisted living with nursing care options for the elderly. This non-profit helps to organize this annual event as well as other community events that are held at the Florida Christian Apartments here in Murray Hill. Some of the programs and activities they organize for the senior residents on an ongoing basis include a caregiver support group, chair yoga, transportation to worship services at a local church, chair volleyball,Silver Sneakers with the YMCA, meditation classes, line dancing, English class for Spanish and Spanish class for English speakers, movie day, hot dog lunch, monthly resident birthday parties, and live music and dancing at Lane Wiley Senior Center. The Florida Christian Center is a nice organization that serves our community's seniors and persons with special needs in the area. I am glad that this resource is available to our senior citizens. ​ ​