E
very year, Hubbard House provides shelter for more than 800 women, children, and men who are victims of domestic violence. When a victim leaves his or her abuser, there may be no time for packing and planning the escape. Once you make the decision to leave, you grab what you can find and leave your home whenever that chance may appear. Therefore, many victims arrive to Hubbard House with nothing but the clothes on their back.
When entering Hubbard House’s emergency shelter, the victims have not only found a safe haven, but also come to a place that gives them an opportunity to rebuild their life and start fresh. Victims stay in the shelter anywhere between a few days up to eight weeks. During their stay, Hubbard House offers several programs and services to facilitate the victims’ transition into a new, violence-free life.
It is often important for victims to reside in a place similar to a home. To aid the healing process further, it may also be crucial for victims and their children to still be able to sit down and enjoy a family dinner together. Therefore, Hubbard House provides victims with access to a stocked pantry for all their daily meals and snacks. In order to do so, however, Hubbard House relies heavily on the generosity of the community to keep that pantry stocked with both non-perishable and perishable* foods.
At this point in time, Hubbard House is running low on food due to the current economy, resulting in budget cuts and declines in food donations. Thus, food donations from the community are incredibly vital in helping keep the pantry stocked.
On average, Hubbard House has more than 70 women and children staying in shelter. No matter how big or small, any donation makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. If you are interested in organizing a food collection drive, through your place of employment, with your family and friends, or through your civic or church group, to benefit victims of domestic violence and their children, please contact us at agriffin@hubbardhouse.org or 904-354-0076 ext. 301.
Examples of food items needed:
- $50.00 Gift cards for perishable items
- Instant Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Rice
- Juice
- Dinner Rolls (off the shelf)
- Canned Fruit
- Canned Vegetables
- Crackers
- Cereal/Cereal Bars
- Peanut Butter
- Jelly
- White Sugar
- Instant Tea/Kool-Aid
- Canned meats and fish
- Condiments (ketchup, mayo, mustard)
- Ready-made meals (stew, ravioli, mac-n-cheese)
- Long-life milk (evaporated or dry)
- Any other non-perishable food item
*Perishable foods do not have a long shelf life; gift cards to various supermarkets are preferred. Perishable foods needed are fresh milk, eggs, butter, meats and cheeses.
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, Hubbard House can help. Please call the Hubbard House domestic violence hotline at 904-314-3114 or 1-800-500-1119.
ABOUT HUBBARD HOUSE
Hubbard House is a nationally recognized leader in domestic violence intervention. Founded in 1976, Hubbard House is a certified, comprehensive domestic violence center providing programs and services to more than 5,000 women, children and men annually in Duval and Baker counties. While Hubbard House is most known for its emergency shelter, the agency also provides extensive adult and youth outreach services, school-based education, therapeutic child care, batterers’ intervention programs, court advocacy and volunteer and community education opportunities. Visit www.hubbardhouse.org to learn more.
By Vicky Krook