In 2024, Goodwill Industries of North Florida will expand its traditional focus on employment, training and education to address one of the major challenges facing Jacksonville residents: a lack of access to healthy, nutritious foods. The Corner at Debs Store will bring fresh produce and groceries to the residents of Jacksonville’s Historic Eastside and surrounding neighborhoods, filling a void created by the 2011 closing of the original Debs Store. Working with our partners, LIFT JAX, the Debs Family, VyStar Credit Union, local community organizations and our donors, we seek to create a vibrant community space where residents can build healthier, more prosperous lives.
Because access to healthy food is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
Have you ever been distracted in a meeting because you were hungry? Have you ever had to do homework on an empty stomach? The absence of access to nutritious food affects every aspect of life. We believe that The Corner will provide the needed access to healthy food becoming a cornerstone of growth, education, and the betterment of individuals and of the community as a whole.
This is where we need your support. Through the generosity of friends like you, we will be well on our way to establishing a sustainable, not-for-profit operation, ensuring that Eastside and urban core families can benefit from this essential resource now and for generations to come. As restoration efforts are well underway, we need funding for initial start-up costs including stocking the grocery market with fresh produce, equipment to keep the food fresh, transportation to pick up the fresh foods and bring it to the market, and other essential items.
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