Cuban Immigrant Leads Organization Battling Hunger and Supporting Families in Florida

Ed Pérez arrived in the United States as a child with his family, fleeing Cuba following Fidel Castro's rise to power. Over sixty years later, this Cuban immigrant now heads an organization in Jacksonville, Florida, aiming to serve between 100,000 and 110,000 meals to those in need this year.

Pérez is the founder of Three Grains of Rice Missions, a nonprofit dedicated to providing food and other resources to the homeless, elderly, struggling families, and economically disadvantaged residents.

This Thursday, News4JAX featured his story, highlighting how his personal encounters with poverty and hardship have shaped the mission he leads today.

Pérez's family was granted asylum in the United States in February 1963, settling in Baltimore, Maryland. They arrived without knowing English and faced challenging conditions.

He also shared that he endured childhood trauma and later dealt with post-traumatic stress disorder at a time when awareness of the condition was minimal.

"Back then, they had no idea what PTSD was," he recounted.

A pivotal figure in his life was a coach who introduced him to sports.

"I was fortunate to have a coach come into my life and guide me in the world of sports," he reminisced.

Decades later, after completing a 42-year career with the railroad company CSX, Pérez founded Three Grains of Rice Missions in 2016 with his wife, Stacey Pérez.

The organization distributes food twice a week from its Edison Avenue location, but its aid extends beyond meals. It also provides hygiene products, diapers, clothing, pet food, laundry services, and connects individuals with housing resources.

Last year alone, the nonprofit distributed approximately 80,000 meals, 22,000 of which were for children, as reported by News4JAX. By 2026, it aims to reach between 100,000 and 110,000 meals.

Recently, the organization has also helped 28 single mothers secure housing.

Among those seeking assistance is Buddy Little, who lost his home after his landlady sold the properties, leaving him unable to afford new rent prices.

"I need to eat, and living on the streets is tough," he explained. "I don't earn enough to survive, so this really helps a lot."

Volunteer and chaplain Lisa Darrell emphasized the organization's principle of ensuring that those seeking help do not feel stigmatized by their circumstances.

"We don’t judge anyone or want anyone to feel excluded or ashamed," she stated.

The mission's headquarters also has a unique backstory. In 2023, the VyStar Foundation donated a building valued at about $570,000 at the time, allowing the organization to expand its operations.

Currently, Three Grains of Rice collaborates with over 70 partner organizations and even assists individuals traveling from Georgia seeking support.

Pérez now plans to take his efforts further. He envisions constructing a space akin to a small supermarket on adjacent land, allowing individuals to select the items they truly need instead of receiving a pre-packaged box.

The plan also includes a community kitchen to teach healthy cooking, although funds and approvals are still needed to bring this vision to life.

Pérez's story joins those of other emigrants who, after rebuilding their lives in the United States, have chosen to support the communities that welcomed them. Recently, another Cuban exile shared how, after achieving what he described as the "American dream," he dedicated part of his life to giving back the help he received.

For Pérez, the mission is about addressing immediate needs while also helping people build a better future: "Meeting urgent needs and, at the same time, helping people to create a better future."