PENSACOLA, Fla. — Many people in the area are feeling the pinch as prices rise. Feeding the Gulf Coast is stepping up to support those struggling with food insecurity.
“About 1 in 5 to 1 in 6 people in our community face hunger,” says Kyle Schoolar, the director of advocacy at Feeding the Gulf Coast. The situation is even tougher for children, with 1 in 4 facing hunger in some neighborhoods.
Two years ago, the organization launched Millie the Mobile Market to bring affordable produce to the community. The selection changes weekly based on what’s available and affordable.
“We measure our costs against local retailers to ensure we pass on the best savings,” Schoolar explains.
Feeding the Gulf Coast has teamed up with ECAT to provide Millie and other essential services at the Brownsville Community Center. ECAT offers free transportation, making it easier for people to access these resources.
“We aim to meet our community where they need us most,” says Thaddeus Davenport, the transit director at ECAT.
Millie will visit ECAT’s main transit complex on Fairfield Drive twice a month, focusing on neighborhoods without large grocery stores. “Brownsville lacks a Walmart or similar retailer, making it hard for residents to shop, especially with rising gas prices and tight work schedules,” Schoolar adds.
Recent data shows that food insecurity has grown across the U.S., with 10.5% of households currently affected, up from 8.5% before the pandemic. This highlights the urgent need for initiatives like Millie the Mobile Market.
For more details about the services offered by Feeding the Gulf Coast, visit their website here.
