Active Programs
More Than a Food Bank
Emergency assistance for qualified Jacksonville families — food, utilities, baby essentials, school supplies, summer meals, retail food recovery, and more.
Our Programs
Our Programs
Food Assistance
Shelf-stable food, fresh produce, bread, frozen meats, dairy, hygiene products, and donated retail items based on current inventory. Available to qualified JCOC clients every 30 days.
- ✓Tuesday & Thursday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
- ✓Client application required
- ✓Photo ID & income docs needed
- ✓Every 30 days for qualified households
Emergency Utility Assistance
Limited emergency help with qualifying electric and water bills. Intended to stabilize households facing an immediate utility crisis.
- ✓Monday by appointment only
- ✓Active JCOC file required
- ✓$75 assistance cap (current policy)
- ✓Once per quarter per household
Little Needs
Diapers, wipes, infant formula, baby food, period products, and other essential baby items for qualified families. In partnership with Bundles of Hope.
- ✓Sizes 4 and up especially needed
- ✓Bundles of Hope partnership
- ✓JCOC application required
- ✓Baby food & formula available
School Supplies
Annual program helping K–8 students start the school year with needed supplies. 2026 registration deadline: July 23. In-person registration during open hours.
- ✓Grades K–8
- ✓Current JCOC clients only
- ✓Register by July 23, 2026
- ✓In-person registration required
Sunny Bites
Summer food distribution for families with children. Runs every other Tuesday during summer months. About 50 families per distribution, supported by 15 volunteers.
- ✓Every other Tuesday in summer
- ✓Families with children
- ✓~50 families per distribution
- ✓Contact JCOC to register
Retail Food Recovery
JCOC volunteers recover food and usable products from Walmart, Target, and Dollar General that would otherwise go to waste. 63,484 lbs recovered in 2025.
- ✓63,484 lbs recovered in 2025
- ✓Walmart, Target, Dollar General
- ✓Community Food Bank partner
- ✓Volunteer pickup & sorting
Garden of Eatin'
JCOC's community garden grows fresh produce for local households. Volunteer-led — planting, tending, harvesting. Planting day held April 11, 2026.
- ✓Volunteer-grown produce
- ✓Supports food assistance
- ✓Planting, tending & harvest roles
- ✓All skill levels welcome
Blessing Box
JCOC maintains outdoor Blessing Boxes at two locations in Jacksonville, providing basic food items outside normal service hours.
- ✓Location: JCOC (700 Church Ave S)
- ✓Location: Jacksonville Community Center
- ✓Available outside open hours
- ✓Take what is needed, leave what you can
Christmas Toyland
Annual Christmas assistance for qualified children from birth through age 17. 2025: 360 children from 158 families served. 2026 dates: December 15–16.
- ✓Birth through age 17
- ✓December 15–16, 2026
- ✓360 children served in 2025
- ✓Donors, toys & volunteers needed
Common Questions
Common Questions
How do I get food assistance from JCOC?
Food assistance is available Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. New clients complete a JCOC application and will need photo ID for all adults in the household, Social Security cards for all household members, proof of residence, and documentation of household income. Qualified households may access food assistance every 30 days.
What kind of food does JCOC distribute?
Shelf-stable foods, fresh produce, bread and baked goods, frozen meats, dairy when available, personal hygiene products, cleaning supplies, baby items, and donated retail items based on current inventory. Items vary based on what's been recovered that week.
How does utility assistance work?
Utility assistance is by appointment only, on Mondays. Clients must have an active JCOC file and complete the required application. Assistance is currently limited to $75 per payment and once per quarter. JCOC helps with qualifying electric and water bills.
What is Little Needs?
Little Needs provides diapers, wipes, infant formula, baby food, period products, and other baby essentials to qualified families with young children. JCOC partners with Bundles of Hope in Birmingham. Families must complete the JCOC qualification process. Sizes 4 and up are especially needed.
What is Sunny Bites?
Sunny Bites is JCOC's summer food distribution program for families with children. It runs every other Tuesday during summer. Approximately 50 families are served each distribution, supported by about 15 volunteers. Contact JCOC for current eligibility and distribution dates.
Ready to Come In?
Food assistance Tue & Thu, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Utility assistance by appointment on Mondays. (256) 435-1891