BEAM: The Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry

As active members of our local community, our team is proud to support an organization that is serving residents of the Jacksonville Beaches. BEAM - the Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry - offers a number of programs to those in need, including food assistance, financial assistance, and single-parent support.

To join us on our tour of BEAM's facilities, watch below!

We had the privilege to tour BEAM's community garden, food pantry, and thrift store with Gracie Simendinger, the Director of Development. In 2021 alone, BEAM distributed more than 924,608 meals to local families and provided over $1,134,387 in overdue rent and utility bills. BEAM has seen an increase in the amount of assistance needed as the cost of stabilizing a family is climbing. This is largely due to rising grocery, rent, and utility bills paired with a lack of change in household wages.

BEAM's community garden, Grace Garden, produced 7,210 pounds of harvested food to supplement the BEAM food pantry. This garden is tended to solely by BEAM and its volunteers. In this serene, vastly productive space, a wonderful variety of fruits and vegetables including kale, swiss chards, and even pineapple are grown!

BEAM’s food pantry serves members of the Beaches’ community struggling with food insecurity. Food insecurity leaves people without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. BEAM allows clients to utilize the food pantry twice a month, supplying at least 3 meals for 3 days each visit for all members of the family. BEAM even provides food items for family pets. The pantry also has items available that are not covered by government assistance. These high-demand necessities include toiletries like shampoo, toilet paper, and feminine hygiene products.

BEAM operates two thrift stores in the Jacksonville Beaches area, providing much-needed funding for their programs. The thrift stores carry everything from furniture, to gently used clothing, household items, and even some designer pieces. These thrift stores engage the community by providing opportunities to contribute to BEAM's mission as donations are accepted and shopping is encouraged.

If you would like to learn more about the mission, services, or ways to support BEAM, please visit their website at jaxbeam.org.