Boquets and Brickbats

BOUQ:

To Feeding North East Florida for making it easier for those in need to find free groceries, hot meals, soup kitchens and food pantries. One of those ways is a web app that allows users to search for the food pantries closest to them — feedingnefl.org/find-food-now. With Thanksgiving in mind, we give them special thanks for everything they do.

To the Extraordinary Men of Jax for hosting their annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway. The organization, which develops community through mentoring, social awareness and citizen involvement to create a strong foundation for the future, will be giving away turkeys Nov. 23 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Panama Park. (Note: Limit one per adult, two adults per car. While supplies last.)

BRICK:

To the Jacksonville City Council for not approving a proposed resolution addressing the need for broader healthcare coverage in Duval County. The proposed resolution would have called upon state legislators to work toward Medicaid expansion, as the potential for Medicaid expansion would most likely lower mortality rates and chronic conditions. Approximately 112,000 residents in Duval Country are uninsured — and any more are still underinsured — making the county 46th of 67 in health outcomes statewide. The committee vote was tied but was automatically deferred due to the absence of Councilmember Jimmy Peluso.