Our Story
30 years ago, Jim Dotson recognized a need within the congregation. Some were unable to provide food for their families. From his generosity, our food pantry was founded. First in the church, then expanding out into the Jacksonville community.
Thanks to the partnerships we have formed with many organizations in North East Florida such as Farmshare, Feeding Northeast Florida, Second Harvest, Lutheran Social Services, Thrivent, Publix, Winn Dixie, and Panera Bread we are able to continue today. These organizations allow us to bring nutritional sustenance, both boxed and hearty meals, to those in need in our community.
We have encountered many challenges since our beginning. Some of our beloved founders have passed on. We have had to find a temporary new home (Thank you Fort Caroline Presbyterian Church). The Covid virus forced us from using business partnerships to help put together food boxes , and has curtailed our fundraising efforts. Despite these challenges, we are currently serving close to 300 families each pantry day, (2nd and 4th Saturday of each month).
Our Mission
The Jim Dotson Foundation Incorporated was founded in 2018 to continue the proud tradtion of providing food and clothing for our neighbors in need in the Arlington community of Jacksonville, Florida.
Pancake Ladies Ministry
Five years ago, a small group of women from the St Matthews Lutheran church got together to discuss a way we could help in our community by doing something impactful and meaningful. After volunteering at the local food bank, there was no question what was needed. As we observed the people waiting in line to get much needed food for their families we noticed how sad and distraught many were at this time in their lives. It was then we decided to do a pancake ministry. We wanted a way to show how much love and kindness there was in our community. It started out as once a month, but has grown to twice a month since then.
Our goal: provide a nice hot breakfast of pancakes, sausage, French toast, juice, coffee, many baked goodies and fresh fruit free of charge to those in line waiting for boxes of food. We not only offer the breakfast, but we offer conversation, time and in many cases just lending an ear over coffee.
Fast forward to now and the Jim Dotson Foundation. We continued to serve an amazing breakfast, and since added a Bagel Station, grits, sausage gravy and biscuits. All of this is prepared by an amazing group of woman that give of themselves, their time and their love of community. We were serving approximately 600 breakfasts a month. Since COVID -19, we are making breakfasts to go and serve 300 once a month at the drive through food pantry. We look forward to being back in the church serving all the goodies we used to.
Bettiemae Kitchens
Vice President of the Jim Dotson Foundation
Chairman of the Pancake Ministry
Here is a little article that captures more of what and why we do what we do: https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20181224/jacksonville-nonprofit-church-on-mission-to-feed-clothe-those-in-need-year-round