S.E.A. Community Help Resource Center Opens to Serve Rural St. Johns County

• 31 July 2026
• Category: Community Well-Being SJC News
• Tags: 2026

New Elkton facility expands access to food, clothing, and critical support services while uniting community partners to serve residents in need

St. Johns County officials, community leaders, and residents recently gathered to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of the S.E.A. (Spuds, Elkton and Armstrong) Community Help Resource Center, a new nonprofit hub dedicated to serving families in need across the county’s rural communities. The Office of Public Affairs produced a video to capture the event.

Located at 6408 Armstrong Road in Elkton, the S.E.A. Community Center expands access to essential services including food distribution, clothing, school supplies, and support resources for individuals and families experiencing hardship.

“These are my people,” said Clay Murphy, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners and District 3 Commissioner. “This is who I am. This is where I grew up. I grew up in Palanka. I’ve been driving by this place for over 55 years. This is my community. To get out here and serve, this is the epitome of leadership — just be a servant. These people are literally sharing the love of Christ every single day with what they’re doing. Every person, every drop of sweat out here is just showing the love of Christ. And I’m really proud to be a really small part of this.”

Founded in 2011, the nonprofit has long provided outreach through mobile and church-based efforts. The opening of a permanent facility marks a major milestone in its mission to address hunger, housing instability, and other challenges in underserved areas.

“They didn’t just come today; this has been an ongoing event,” said Malinda Peeples, CEO of the S.E.A. Community Help Resource Center. “The agencies, the Sheriff, the County Commissioners – it is a great cooperation with everybody.”

The center will host weekly grocery distributions every Friday from 9 a.m. to noon, along with additional services coordinated through partnerships with local agencies, volunteers, and faith-based organizations. Leaders emphasized the importance of bringing resources closer to residents who may face transportation barriers or limited access to assistance.

County officials and community partners highlighted the collaboration that made the project possible, noting support from public safety agencies, local organizations, and volunteers across Northeast Florida.

The St. Johns County Strategic Plan includes Community Well-Being as one of the plan’s six priorities. One of the priority’s objectives is to leverage partnerships with nonprofits and other community organizations to enhance human and social service programs and initiatives. The County’s Health and Human Services Department assisted in the project through a land swap arrangement.

The S.E.A. Community Center aims to serve residents of Spuds, Elkton, Armstrong, and surrounding areas, creating a centralized location for assistance and strengthening connections throughout the community.

For more information about services or volunteer opportunities, visit the SEA Community Help website.