I volunteered at the City Rescue Mission in Jacksonville last week by serving lunch to residents…read more Having no experience with the organization I thought I was going to a soup kitchen. This place was so much more! The City Rescue Mission opened in 1946 and helps support people in NE Florida struggling with homelessness, hunger and substance abuse. The residents go through a program offering food, shelter, clothing, bible study as well as education and life skills development classes. I pulled up to a gate, gave my name and my license plate number prior to entering the grounds. I signed in upon entering the building and met up with two women I was volunteering with. They began to explain what we would be doing as I followed them to the dining hall. We put on aprons and gloves and began setting the tables with napkins and forks. We asked the residents if they wanted water or juice and served them. And once the food was ready we brought it to their tables. The residents were kind and grateful. Andrew, the head chef, graduated from the program and has been working as the chef for the past five years. What an inspiration! The City Rescue Mission offers hope to those in desperate need. They depend on generous donations from churches and other organizations. I learned they run a thrift shop and have a hard time getting volunteers on the weekends. They also have a chocolate shop and make candy to sell in local restaurants to raise money. You can buy their brownies at The Loop. After my shift ended I left feeling hopeful for the futures of everyone I met. And I also want to come back and volunteer again!

So I was donating all house hold furniture, everything in a home. Had someone schedule to come out…read moreand pick everything up with a truck. Was late so I called and there was a message that they were not picking up at any home because they were relocating their business to another location. NOT EVEN A PHONE CALL. I would not recommend this organization if your moving out of a home.

Miss Heidi and the pastor is absolutely exceptional. Unfortunately they don't serve anybody but…read moreOrange Park in Fleming Island area as a Middleburg resident. They said they don't get food packages just clothing.

I recently visited the Clothes Closet and Food Pantry of Orange Park while my son was playing…read morebaseball at a nearby park. Since I'm new to the area, I wanted to explore the neighborhood, and when I saw their sign, I became curious. I wasn't sure if they operated like Goodwill or the Salvation Army, so I entered, hoping to learn more about what they do. Now, for context, I'm a 5'2" Asian female, carrying nothing but my sun hat--no bags or anything else. As I stepped inside, I noticed a bulletin board and took a moment to read the materials posted there. After that, I walked a few feet toward an area where people were sitting, seemingly waiting for their turn to enter the main floor to pick out clothes and household items. You could call it a reception or waiting area. As I stood there, simply observing the environment and the process, an older lady approached me and asked what I was doing there. I replied, "I'm just browsing." Then, out of nowhere, a younger staff member suddenly hollered at me from an inside office in a hostile tone, telling me I wasn't supposed to be there. I was shocked by this reaction. I was simply standing outside the main area, reading posted information and observing--nothing disruptive or inappropriate. Instead of being welcoming or helpful, the staff treated me with suspicion and unnecessary hostility for no valid reason. This kind of reaction seems completely out of place for a charity whose mission is to serve and assist the community. If they are so quick to act hostile toward someone who is just looking in, I can't help but wonder how they treat those who actually need their services. I hope Clothes Closet and Food Pantry of Orange Park reconsiders its approach to interacting with the public. A more welcoming and understanding attitude would be much more in line with their mission.

This is a great place for a group, teambuilding event to help the less fortunate in the…read moreJacksonville area. I came here with my employer to volunteer as a group. There were roughly 60 of us, and we packed 1000 boxes of food. That only took about an hour, so we were also given a tour of this impressive facility, which helps other local organizations and serves a part of the local emergency services. I came away feeling good about my employer for organizing the event and donating to a good cause.

It's always a pleasure volunteering at Feeding Northeast Florida!…read more Feeding NE FL helps feed a lot of unfortunate citizens in Jacksonville and the surrounding area through generosity of local businesses and individuals who donate food, household supplies, and financial contributions. FNEF depends on volunteers for sorting & packing in their warehouse and handing out food at their mobile food pantry. Through my company I have had the opportunity to volunteer at both the warehouse and mobile pantry. Each time has been a great experience. The staff at FNEF are super at coordinating these volunteer event.

Review #900 comes in the form of admiration for the Ronald McDonald House in Jacksonville. I…read morerecently toured the facility for the first time and still have goosebumps from my experience. This non profit charity does not receive any federal or government grants or funding. Contrary to popular belief, it's a completely donation-based organization, which is absolutely stunning, since they currently house 53 families free of charge. Patients and their families come from all around the world to seek medical attention in Jacksonville. When I toured the house, they spoke enthusiastically of a family who recently crossed the pond from Ireland. People might not be talking about this enough, but Jacksonville is home to state-of-the-art medical care. The house is beautiful. There's a courtyard, a full-service kitchen (larger than some restaurants), a pantry, a movie room, a play room, a prayer room, a class room, a covered parking garage, a gorgeous rooftop garden and so much more. On top of that, each employee I've worked with or met in passing has a passion so evident it's contagious. I have to admit there were times during the tour I found myself getting choked up. The mission is clear and they are truly changing lives by providing lodging, food and transportation better than most hotel accommodations. Add to the mix, families at their most stressful only emphasizes the Lord's work they're doing. Love, love, love! I encourage anyone to donate or give back to the Ronald McDonald House.

Service is great. I enjoy talking to the volunteers. Most of them are retiree's. I appreciate being…read moreable to get this service free of charge. May God continue to bless you church & community services. Sincere thanks. Cheryl Mayhew

REAL SENSE-Thank you so much for helping people get their taxes prepared with expertise!! Most of…read morethese ladies who prepare your taxes for you, work for IRS. I believe they do the Real Sense as a volunteer job every year. I work with these ladies in the Federal Bldg. I have a lot of respect for these ladies volunteering their precious time to help people with their taxes. The bldg. is a part of the church. Thanks going out to the church as well for loaning the building, so this can be possible. I am glad I did not have to pay this year. It is not a big return, but better than having to pay.

3/25/26. I want to help where I can and this local foodbank (not city run or any corporate…read moreaffiliation). We are open M, W, F from 9-11:30. Clients need to have proper ID-social security cards, zip code for our area and such. People volunteering are just trying to help in some way to those in need.

I so appreciate the service they provide to the community. I…read moreappreciate the merchants that donate the goods to help those of us that really need it. Some of what I get I cannot eat due to dietary restrictions, but I donate them to neighbors that appreciate and can use them.

The Florida Christian Center is the non-profit "providing ministry and pastoral care, worship…read moreservices, classes on faith and aging, and other programs focused on the spiritual health of the residents of the Florida Christian Apartments and Sundale Manor." They do have people on the board that are part of the community and are actively working to carry out this mission. I had the pleasure of speaking to one of them at the last "Taste of Murray Hill" event a couple of weeks ago. He told me the FCA was a independent living community as opposed to assisted living with nursing care options for the elderly. This non-profit helps to organize this annual event as well as other community events that are held at the Florida Christian Apartments here in Murray Hill. Some of the programs and activities they organize for the senior residents on an ongoing basis include a caregiver support group, chair yoga, transportation to worship services at a local church, chair volleyball,Silver Sneakers with the YMCA, meditation classes, line dancing, English class for Spanish and Spanish class for English speakers, movie day, hot dog lunch, monthly resident birthday parties, and live music and dancing at Lane Wiley Senior Center. The Florida Christian Center is a nice organization that serves our community's seniors and persons with special needs in the area. I am glad that this resource is available to our senior citizens. ​ ​

HABIJAX has been a great place to spend our days off from work to volunteer whether it is at the…read moreReStore or one of the home build sites.

Great place , great atmosphere and great prices. Would highly recommend for D.I.Y oriented people…read more The people are friendly and for a great cause.