Articles by Chloe Smith

Food insecurity grows worse in Flagler Estates

By Chloe Smith With poverty and food insecurity rates rising in the U.S., most people imagine those living on the streets in urban areas are most affected. In reality, it’s residents living in rural areas that are hit the hardest. Flagler Estates, for example, is…


Retiree devoted to serving local food-insecure population

By Chloe Smith Vickie Leese views her volunteering as something greater than just handing out food to the impoverished of St. Johns County. When working with Epic Cure to fight local food insecurity, Leese said the people she helps become something else entirely to her:…


Local nonprofit leaders fight food insecurity for senior citizens

By Chloe Smith As food prices rise, the food insecurity rate among St. Johns County residents grows. Nonprofit leaders say senior citizens are most susceptible. “It’s hard,” said Vickie Leese, a local senior and nonprofit volunteer, referring to her struggle to balance the increasing cost…



Local Non-profit makes headway in Jinotega

By Chloe Smith Seven years ago, Deeply Rooted Grounds was formed to help communities in Nicaragua. Today, the nonprofit’s most recent purchase in Jinotega plans to transform Central America. Clinton Dosio, the organization’s Chief Operations Officer, is one of the many leaders of Deeply Rooted…



St. Johns County discusses how to manage affordable housing crisis

By Chloe Smith With home prices skyrocketing nationwide, St. Johns County residents are scrambling for answers to support their struggling community. Nonprofit leaders Ervin Bullock and Bill Lazar say it might take looking for unconventional solutions to deal with the ongoing issue. Bullock, Lazar, and…