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Monday 9am - 12pm Wednesday 9am - 12pm Friday 9am - 12pm

Downtown Ecumenical Services Council - DESC

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Downtown Ecumenical Services Council - DESC

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DESC, a faith-based organization, uplifts those in crisis by providing emergency necessities. We start by listening. We recognize that we cannot help everyone.

While our mission is to provide short-term relief to families and individuals in need, we often find listening to our neighbors makes a great impact. Our volunteers are trained and encouraged to offer our families dignity and respect simply by taking the time to listen to their stories. With that in mind, we often guide individuals and families through the charitable organizations and resources meant to support their specific needs. Fact: In 2017, DESC volunteers and staff provided services to almost 12,000 families needing emergency assistance. We serve those who can’t always feed their family. Emergency situations often bring the added fear of not having money to buy food. DESC alleviates some of that concern by providing well-balanced staples to supplement our neighbors’ budgets. We provide food meant to be cooked in a house. Our neighbors are able to make homes of their houses, one meal at a time. We help our neighbors stay in their homes. For some of our neighbors, skipping meals or forgoing crucial medications in order to pay the rent is the high cost of meeting basic needs. In addition to receiving supplemental food, families and individuals can apply for emergency financial assistance to help cover rent and utilities. We take financial requests by appointment and, upon approval, work directly with landlords and utility companies. We manage our donated funds responsibly believing DESC can do a great deal with very little. We offer dignity that our neighbors can see. Every year, DESC sorts and gathers thousands of articles of clothing in order to provide our neighbors with tangible dignity. Whether they reside in a house or make a home on the streets, the families and individuals who visit us receive clothing without risking other basic needs. For many of our neighbors, our clothing offers them the opportunity to confidently seek or maintain jobs. Even just one pair of work boots can help sustain a family for a season.

10/20/2026

Interested in what’s going on at DESC? Check out our Fall newsletter!

🔗: https://descjax.org/desc-fall-2026-newsletter/

10/15/2026

🎉 Great News at DESC! 🎉
We’re excited to announce that Tina Wirth has been named DESC’s Executive Director!

Tina has served as our interim Executive Director since June and brings incredible energy and so much joy to our organization. We’re thrilled to have her leadership as we continue growing and serving our community.

Tina Wirth takes over as executive director of the Downtown Ecumenical Services Council amid a major expansion. See link below ⬇️

📸 Provided by Downtown Ecumenical Services Council

10/13/2026

DESC is so grateful to One More Child’s Compassion Center for helping fill our pantry shelves with wonderful staple goods.

10/10/2026

Today is World Homeless Day, a reminder that many of our neighbors are living without the safety and dignity of a home. On this day, we come together in awareness, action and hope for a community where everyone has a place to call home.

DESC meets families where they are with food, clothing, financial assistance and compassion, because no one should have to face homelessness alone.

10/08/2026

SouthState Bank hosted a Fall Food Drive at four of their branches and donated a van full of canned and boxed goods to DESC. We are so thankful for this wonderful donation to help fill our food pantry. Thank you!!

10/05/2026

Happy National Do Something Nice Day! Simple acts of kindness are an easy way to lift someone’s mood. We encourage you to do something nice for someone today! Whether it’s holding a door open, buying someone’s coffee, making a donation to a good cause or simply giving a compliment. You never know who needs it most.

10/01/2026

DESC has so many wonderful community partners, including CarePlus. Meet Dawn, she’s a Jacksonville native with a background in Social Work and Nonprofit management, working with CarePlus. “I’m excited to be volunteering at DESC every Wednesday from 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m. to help members of our community navigate applications and benefits.”

Dawn can assist with questions and applications for:
- Medicaid
- SNAP/Food Stamps
- Medicare Insurance
- Social Security Disability
- Additional food assistance and other benefits you may qualify for

If you or someone you know could use help understanding your options or navigating the application process, please stop by to see Dawn on Wednesdays.

09/29/2026

We're so grateful for Pam and Jennifer who delivered a van FULL of gorgeous children’s clothing and shoes following the WeeTRADE consignment sale. THANK YOU!

09/28/2026

POSTPONED! Changing Homelessness will not be at DESC this Wednesday. They will be here Wednesday October 7!

Next Wednesday, September 30th from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., the Changing Homelessness Outreach Van will be at DESC. They help connect people with available resources and services, including housing assistance, while also helping navigate these resources.

We’re looking forward to helping our neighbors find comfort and stability with the help from Changing Homelessness.

09/25/2026

Address

215 North Ocean Street
Jacksonville, FL
32202

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 12pm
Wednesday	9am - 12pm
Friday	9am - 12pm

Telephone

+19043587955

Website

http://www.descjax.org/

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