Ed Pérez arrived in the United States as a child with his family, who left Cuba after Fidel Castro came to power. More than six decades later, that Cuban immigrant now leads an organization in Jacksonville, Florida, which this year hopes to provide between 100,000 and 110,000 meals to those in need.
Pérez is the founder of Three Grains of Rice Missions, a nonprofit organization that provides food and other resources to the homeless, the elderly, families, and residents facing economic hardships.
Her story was featured this Thursday in a report by News4JAX, which highlights how her own experiences of poverty and adversity have shaped the project she currently leads.
The Pérez family was granted asylum in the United States in February 1963 and settled in Baltimore, Maryland. They arrived without speaking English and grew up under difficult circumstances.
Pérez also mentioned that he experienced trauma during his childhood and later dealt with post-traumatic stress disorder at a time when, he recalls, little was said about that condition.
“At that time, they had no idea what PTSD was,” he said.
One person became crucial in his life: a coach who introduced him to the sport.
"I was very fortunate to have a coach come into my life and guide me in the world of sports," he recalled.
Decades later, after completing a 42-year career at the railroad company CSX, Pérez co-founded Three Grains of Rice Missions in 2016 alongside his wife, Stacey Pérez.
The organization distributes food twice a week from its headquarters on Edison Avenue, but its assistance goes beyond just food. It also provides hygiene items, diapers, clothing, and pet food, in addition to offering laundry services and connecting those in need with resources to find housing.
Last year, it distributed around 80,000 meals, 22,000 of which were intended for children, according to News4JAX. By 2026, the forecast is to reach between 100,000 and 110,000.
The organization also claims to have recently helped 28 single mothers find housing.
Among those seeking help is Buddy Little, who reported that he lost his home after his landlord sold the properties, leaving him to face rents that he could not afford.
"I need to eat, and life on the streets is tough," he explained. "I don't earn enough to survive, so this helps me a lot."
The volunteer and chaplain Lisa Darrell explained that one of the organization's principles is to ensure that people seeking help do not feel singled out because of their situation.
"We do not judge anyone nor do we want anyone to feel excluded or embarrassed," he stated.
The headquarters from which the mission operates also has its own history. In 2023, the VyStar Foundation donated a building to the organization, valued at approximately $570,000 at that time, which allowed for an expansion of its operations.
Three Grains of Rice currently works with over 70 partner organizations and even welcomes individuals who come from Georgia seeking assistance.
Pérez now wants to take a step further. His project is to build a space resembling a small supermarket on an adjacent lot, where people can choose the products they truly need instead of receiving a pre-packaged box.
The plan also includes a communal kitchen to teach how to prepare healthy meals, although it still needs to raise funds and obtain the necessary approvals to make it a reality.
The story of the Cuban is added to that of other emigrants who, after rebuilding their lives in the United States, have decided to support the communities that welcomed them. Recently, another case of a Cuban exile came to light, who, after achieving what he described as the "American dream," dedicated part of his life to giving back the help he received.
For Pérez, the mission is to address the urgent needs of the present while keeping an eye on what comes next: "To meet immediate needs and, at the same time, help people build a better future."
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