In response to the increased demand and urgent need currently experienced by local food assistance programs due to COVID-19, St. Johns County in partnership with United Way of St. Johns County, the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall will hold two “drive-thru” food drives to help restock critically-low local food pantries. The St. Augustine Amphitheatre will host the “Drive-Thru” Food Drive on Saturday, May 9 and the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall will host on Saturday, May 16. United Way and St. Johns County volunteers will be on-site at both venues’ parking lots collecting requested donations taken directly from vehicles while maintaining proper social distancing guidelines to ensure ease of collecting all donations. All volunteers will be provided PPE equipment by St. Johns County Emergency Operations.
This two weekend “drive thru” effort will take place during the time in which the United States Postal Service normally conducts its “Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive” typically scheduled for the second Saturday in May, when letter carriers in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America. This effort has been postponed by the National Association of Letter Carriers.
Food Drive #1: Saturday, May 9 at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre
Address: 1340C A1A South, St. Augustine
Collection Times: 9am – 4pm
Food Drive #2: Saturday, May 16 at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
Address: 1050 A1A North, Ponte Vedra
Collection Times: 9am – 4pm
Nonperishable donations requested:
Examples:
- Peanut butter
- Canned Soup or Stew
- Canned, dried or plastic packaged fruit or applesauce
- Canned beans and vegetables
- Cooking oils
- Canned tuna, salmon, ham or chicken
- Pasta, rice or instant potatoes
- Granola bars, nuts or crackers
- Box Cereal or Meal
Donations that cannot be accepted:
- Items needing refrigeration
- Expired food
- Leftovers
- Food with packaging concerns
- Baked goods
- Items with glass or cellophane packaging (can be broken in transit)
Serving both Putnam and St. Johns Counties, United Way of St. Johns County is the only organization that brings together agencies, businesses, organizations, faith-based groups, government and individuals to focus on the community problems that matter most. Partners share the vision and have the energy, passion, expertise and resources to get the work done. For over 60 years, United Way-SJC has improved lives and built a strong, healthy community by strategically investing in quality programs, building partnerships, advocating for better policies, engaging the community and leveraging resources. Success is measured not by dollars raised, but by lives improved and changed.
Visit www.unitedway-sjc.org or call 904-829-9721 for more information. Featured image by Brian Miller.
