Cuban immigrant fights hunger, supports families in Florida
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Ed Pérez, a Cuban immigrant who fled to the United States with his family in 1963, now leads Three Grains of Rice Missions in Jacksonville, Florida.
Pérez founded the nonprofit in 2016, after a 42-year career with CSX, to provide resources to people experiencing hardship. The organization distributes food and essential items like hygiene products, diapers, and clothing to the homeless, elderly, struggling families, and those with limited incomes.
Three Grains of Rice Missions served approximately 80,000 meals last year, with 22,000 going to children. Pérez and his wife, Stacey Pérez, aim to increase that number to between 100,000 and 110,000 meals this year. Beyond food, the organization also assists people with finding housing, recently helping 28 single mothers secure homes. The VyStar Foundation donated a building valued at $570,000 in 2023, enabling the organization to expand.
Pérez envisions building a small supermarket and community kitchen on adjacent land to offer more choice and cooking education, but requires additional funding and approvals to do so. He joins other Cuban exiles who have dedicated themselves to giving back to the United States after achieving success.
