70 local military families now have refrigerators full of food at least for a week

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville-area military families got an extra push on Wednesday thanks to the USO of Jacksonville.

Dozens of families now have refrigerators full of food.

Lujane Bishop has been volunteering at USO food drives for four years.

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This time, she’s not only helping distribute food, but she’s also receiving food.

“Of course, it’s hard for the mother like us that we don’t have anything to put in our table. So at least with the help of the USO, this is a big event for us,” said Bishop.

Bishop’s husband is currently deployed, so she’s practically a single parent during a pandemic with a 17-month-old and a teenager to take care of.

Her case is not unique. Other military families lined up at the USO in Mayport on Wednesday for a chance to leave with a trunk full of food.

A total of 70 families received help.

Each box is packed with fruits, cereal, pasta and canned food. Also, families received meats, milk and eggs.

Joyce Schellhorn, the USO center manager, said the center helps with more than just food.

“We have a meditation class. We have a yoga class that’s virtual. We have virtual bingo. We also have virtual painting class where you can pick up supplies from us,” said Schellhorn.

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If raising a family takes a village, trying to do so during a pandemic while one spouse is deployed takes an army.

“It’s not just a USO organization. It’s like a family thing that if ever your husband is away, ‘Hey, I got your back,’” said Bishop.

And it’s the least we could do for a group of people who’ve already had to sacrifice so much while in service to the U.S.

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Cox Media Group