Vice President Kamala Harris visits federal COVID-19 vaccine site, Feeding Northeast Florida in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Vice President Kamala Harris visited Jacksonville on Monday, visiting Gateway Mall, the city’s federal COVID-19 vaccination site, and participating in a listening session at Feeding Northeast Florida.

PHOTOS: Vice President Harris visits Gateway Mall, Feeding Northeast Florida

It’s her first trip to Florida since crisscrossing the state in the fall during the presidential campaign.

She spoke about the benefits of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. It’s expected to bring an estimated $17 billion to the state.

Action News Jax will have a LIVE wrap up of her visit on CBS47/FOX30.

Read below for time-stamped updates from the Vice President’s visit:

3:30 p.m.: Vice President Kamala Harris has arrived at Feeding Northeast Florida for a listening session on food insecurity in Northeast Florida.

Jacksonville City Councilmembers Garrett Dennis and Joyce Morgan, Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene, Congressman Al Lawson and Feeding Northeast Florida President and CEO Susan King are also in attendance at the session.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried, told Harris that 40% of black families and 39% of Hispanic families in the area are experiencing chronic hunger.

Harris said that “the work that we did on the American Rescue Plan was designed with you mind,” and broke out some specific benefits from the plan:

• The ARP increases SNAP benefits by 15%, or $230 per month, through the end of September.
• The P-EBT program, which provides funds to feed kids who are on free and reduced lunches, is extended through the end of the pandemic
• WIC benefits have been extended by some $880 million

Harris told the group that she was concerned of the pandemic’s impact on children and “what will have an impact in terms of their ability to develop and to reach their God-given capacity.”

Harris said of Lawson: “I see him in rooms where there are cameras and there are no cameras. And he is always fighting for the people of Florida.

Watch the listening session, facilitated by Fried, LIVE as it was streamed on the Action News Jax Facebook page:

PREVIOUS STORY: Kamala Harris visits University of North Florida in Jacksonville

2:30 p.m.: Vice President Kamala Harris toured the federal COVID-19 vaccination site at Gateway Mall with Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, Northeast Florida Congressman Al Lawson and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried.

Harris was led over to a table where troops were preparing the vaccine. Amid the sound of many syringes being filled and then flicked, Harris was told by her tour guide this is where the “magic” happens.

“Thank you on behalf of the president and myself,” she told the people preparing the vaccine. “Tap away!”

Harris spoke with Shagara Bradshaw, a teacher who was getting her second shot of the Pfizer vaccine, as well as the medical professional administering the vaccine.

Bradshaw was pulled out of a line of people waiting to receive the vaccine and asked if she’d like to meet the VP.

Harris was also given a “fist bump” by current Jacksonville City Councilman and former Jacksonville Mayor Tommy Hazouri.

Watch Harris’ arrival at Gateway Mall as it was streamed on the Action News Jax Facebook page.

2:02 p.m.: Vice President Kamala Harris got off Air Force Two and was greeted by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, Northeast Florida Congressman Al Lawson and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried.

Harris said she talked to Curry, Lawson and Fried about “the good work that’s happening here on the ground. They have expressed their appreciation for what we have been able to do with the ARP, the American Rescue Plan, getting shots in arms.”

Harris and her team are headed to the federal vaccination site at Gateway Mall and will get a tour of the site.

“When it’s your turn, you gotta get it,” Harris said of the COVID-19 vaccine.

She said food insecurity will also be a big part of the conversation around her visit and she will also be visiting Feeding Northeast Florida.

Watch Harris’ arrival at JAX airport as it was streamed on the Action News Jax Facebook page.

1:45 p.m.: Air Force Two lands in Jacksonville for Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit at 1:39 p.m. at Jacksonville International Airport.

Harris’ staff emphasized that the VP’s goal for this trip is to have Americans see themselves reflected back in some of the particulars of the coronavirus relief legislation.

Vice President Kamala Harris in Jacksonville

Cox Media Group