Barnabas Center Press Release
Submitted by Mary Pitcher, Community Relations
Barnabas Center’s crisis assistance services, food pantry, medical and dental programs, and administrative offices have moved to a new location at 1303 Jasmine Street, Suite 101, Fernandina Beach and is open for business. However, the Barnabas “New To You” resale store will remain at its same location at 930 South 14th Street in Fernandina Beach.
In 2013 Barnabas Center served over 5,000 individuals with more than one-third of them being children. The small building on 11th Street which housed the food pantry, crisis services and administrative offices plus the space on South 14th Street for the medical and dental clinic just wasn’t large enough to accommodate the expansion of programming required to meet the increasing need. “We were stretched to the limit and out of space”, explained Wanda Lanier, Barnabas Center’s Executive Director.
Barnabas Center is a multi-faceted organization that serves as a “safety net” for our community by providing assistance to Nassau County residents in crisis situations; such as assistance with rent and utility payments, food for the individuals and families in need, and medical and dental care for uninsured low-income adults. Through its multiple programs, Barnabas strives to be the primary non-profit resource in Nassau County providing assistance to connect individuals and families to services that will help them overcome crisis and achieve self-sufficiency.
Barnabas Center’s Building Campaign to raise the funds for the agency’s building acquisition and renovation began just one year ago with a goal of $1,250,000. The Building Campaign is very close to reaching its goal with a current approximate total of $980,000. “We are so close” says Lanier. “We have made very significant progress, but the community’s help is needed to allow us to reach our goal.”
The fallout from the Recession has resulted in increased numbers of individuals and families experiencing hunger, unemployment and cuts to federal and state assistance programs. Although the national economy has improved, it is still a very difficult time for many local residents. Long-term unemployment benefits expired December 28, for 1.3 million Americans, and nearly 48 million Americans, including 22 million children, saw their food assistance benefits cut in November through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps).
Barnabas Center is “your” community asset! Please help Barnabas help our community by donating your time, money, food or other resources.
Food donations of canned and boxed foods are always needed including tuna, vegetables, and soups, pasta, rice, cereal and peanut butter. Food items can be dropped off at the following Barnabas locations:
- Barnabas Center Pantry at 1303 Jasmine Street, Fernandina Beach, Monday 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Fridays 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.
- Barnabas “New To You” resale store at 930 South 14th Street, Fernandina Beach, Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Barnabas Hilliard Office at 15879 County Road 108, Hilliard, on Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Barnabas Callahan Office at 45089 Third Avenue, Callahan, on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Volunteers are also needed to serve as receptionists, food pantry workers, doctors, nurses, dentists and dental hygenists. To volunteer your time, please contact Mary Pitcher, Community Relations Manager, at 904-261-7000 or e-mail [email protected].
Proceeds from the sale of donated items to the Barnabas “New To You” resale store help support services to those in need. To donate clothing, furniture, or other household items to “New To You”, please drop items at the store located at 930 South 14th Street or call 904-321-2334 for pick up of larger items.
Barnabas Center is a United Way certified agency, and has received the highest rating of “4 stars” from Charity Navigator for the past seven consecutive years. Only 2% of non-profit organizations in the nation have achieved this distinction, which differentiates Barnabas Center from other charitable organizations and demonstrates it is well managed and worthy of public trust.
January 25, 2014 9:10 a.m.