About Us
“Helping when Life hurts.”
This is our motto… and our promise to our community when times are hard.
Our History
Jacksonville Christian Outreach Center (JCOC) was incorporated in 1995 as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization by 23 local churches whose pastors were members of the Jacksonville Ministerial Association. Governed by local Christian Churches, JCOC, through its volunteers, provides food and supplies to individual and families in our area who are in need or crisis.
Our mission is to help alleviate hunger and food insecurity in Jacksonville, the 36265-zip code area. Serving a population of more than 11,000 residents (over 25 percent of whom are living in poverty), JCOC actively collects donations, which we safely store and distribute to those needing assistance. Alabama has one of the highest poverty rates in the country. One of every five children and one of every four seniors live below the poverty level and many more Alabamians face “food insecurity,” meaning a limited or uncertain access to food. In 2020, during the pandemic, JCOC distributed over 100,000 pounds of food stuffs to residents.
JCOC is a member of the Alabama Food Bank Association and an affiliate of Feeding America – The Nation’s Food Bank Network. JCOC is also a member of the United Way and Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama.
Our motto is “helping when life hurts.” Our mission is to improve the health of our community by providing extra food, necessities, diapers, feminine hygiene, emergency utility assistance, and much more to those who are in need or in a time of crisis. We do so in a cheerful, welcoming, nonjudgmental environment without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, physical or developmental disability. We serve the unemployed and the working poor. Our vision is neighbors serving neighbors with compassion, dignity and respect while eradicating hunger and food insecurity in our community. Our wish is to educate and advocate.
Our Wonderful Donors
We couldn’t do what we do or help nearly as many people without our incredible sponsors. If you or your organization are interested in joining their esteemed ranks,
call us at (256) 435-1891 to find out how!
Some Things About Us
-Who are some of the funder(s) that you have worked on consistently in the past?
The by-laws state each participating local church is to give $1000 a year, if they have the funds. Otherwise, there is a formula of a small percent of the tithe of the church being the funding for JCOC. Our churches vary in giving from $250 to $13,000 a year.
To supplement donations, JCOC has recently applied for grants. We have received over $15,000 per year in grant money which allows JCOC to continues its services.
-Do you have an organizational background statement?
JCOC has served the Jacksonville – 36265-zip code for 25 years. JCOC is supported by donations from the churches, groups, and individuals. Prior to JCOC, people in need would solicit funds and assistance from many churches. JCOC was the one-stop answer to alleviating many problems in Jacksonville.
-Do you have a history of your organization statement?
JCOC was incorporated in July 1995 by the Jacksonville Ministerial Association. Their purpose was to better serve people who were poor, on limited income, sick, or had other problems. They felt the synergy of their many churches supporting one organization would be most beneficial to all – clients and churches.
How We Helped in 2020
Additionally...
Because JCOC responded to immediate, developing needs, neighbors also had face masks, first aid kits, thermometers, flashlights, and hot/cold packs to protect and care for their health during the CoVid-19 pandemic.