Making sure military families in need stationed at Naval Station Mayport don't go hungry

A local group is working with the United Service Organization to make sure military families stationed at Naval Station Mayport don’t go hungry.

They protect our country, but often struggle just to buy food.

“You kind of have to stretch, and you really have to budget,” said Amanda Eddy, a military wife.

Eddy’s husband was stationed in Jacksonville just a few months ago.

“We’re very, very proud of him and the sacrifices that he makes,” she said.

But many families sacrifice in more ways than one.

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“About 500 people, they are all active military families that needed food,” said Frank Castillo, president of Feeing NE Florida.

Northeast Florida teamed up with USO and Humana to make sure these families won’t worry about having enough money for groceries.

“They don’t make a lot of money. The incomes are tight. Oftentimes they have one, two, three children and the spouse can’t work because it doesn’t make sense financially and they can’t cover the infant child care,” said Mike O’Brien, executive director for Greater Jacksonville of USO.

Families will be able to come to the USO site twice a month and fill up their bags with about $200 worth of groceries.

“That’s such a huge help for us. This is at least a week's worth for us,” said Sar Wince, a military wife.

Castillo said serving the deserving is the community’s duty.

“It’s our responsibility to make sure we take care of them,” he said.

Eddy said this is something that will make a huge difference in her family’s life.

“This is wonderful. This helps us tremendously,” she said.

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