2 - From the CEO | 3 - Pouring Hope | 4 - Breaking Down Hunger | 6 - Hunger Action Month | 8 - Rural Infrastructure 9 - Planned Giving | 10 - How the Food Bank Works | 11 - More Ways to Get Involved
FALL 2026
WE FEED Northeast Florida
FROM THE CEO There is something powerful about knowing that when our community faces a difficult moment, people step forward to help.
SEASONS CHANGE. NEEDS CHANGE. LEADERSHIP CHANGES. BUT OUR PROMISE TO THIS COMMUNITY REMAINS. SUSAN KING, CEO 2
Feeding Northeast Florida
I have seen it time and again during my years at Feeding Northeast Florida. When families are stretched thin, when unexpected challenges arise, or when our neighbors simply need someone in their corner, this community responds. And right now, that commitment matters deeply. More than 306,000 people across our region are experiencing food insecurity, and many of our partner agencies are seeing significant increases in the number of families coming through their doors. As I prepare to retire at the end of this year, I find myself thinking less about the challenges ahead and more about what gives me hope.
they may never meet deserves to have food on the table. Together, those acts of generosity have built something much bigger than a food bank. They have built a lifeline our community can depend on. Seasons change. Needs change. Leadership changes. But our promise to this community remains. Feeding Northeast Florida will be here, moving food, strengthening communities, and standing beside our neighbors through whatever comes next. And because of you, I know that promise will continue long after my time here comes to an end. As we enter the final months of the year, thank you for believing in this mission, for believing in your neighbors, and for reminding me again and again what is possible when we take action together.
You do. Every volunteer shift. Every donation. Every food drive. Every person who decides that a neighbor
Susan King, President & CEO
back into th community From rescuing produce from regional grocery stores to partnering with local producers, Feeding Northeast Florida makes sure no food goes to waste in our community. Every year, we redirect millions of pounds of food to families that would otherwise end up in landfills. Our ongoing partnerships with Florida farmers help close a gap during their off seasons when schools are closed, while providing high-quality food to neighbors. Since teaming up with M&B Products in 2025, Feeding Northeast Florida has received more than 670,000 pounds of fresh milk that’s been distributed back into the community. The dairy and packing company in Citrus County was founded by Dale McClellan in 1987. The business was built to be sustainable, innovative, and community focused with multiple generations of family members still deeply rooted in the operation. For decades, M&B supplied juice, and later milk, to schools, hospitals, and other institutional feeding programs. During COVID 19 and seasonal school closures, the dairy farm saw a troubling gap in the food system. Milk was
being dumped while families faced supply shortages.
That changed through partnerships with Feeding Florida and local food banks, like Feeding Northeast Florida. With state funding support, dozens of tankers of surplus milk have been rescued, farmers are getting paid fairly, and fresh milk gets delivered to families who need it most. Andrea McClellan, General Manager at M&B Products, says “We’re completing a whole circle. We are not just giving milk to food banks and to those who need it. We are completing a meal.” The whole process supports a long-term future for producers as well. Andrea says, “Your food bank is directly responsible for helping farmers have a larger check to be able to continue their family businesses, which is instrumental to keeping those agricultural industries here.” And for families, the impact can be as simple as having milk to go with cereal. For M&B, it’s about completing the meal and strengthening Florida’s local food system -- one gallon at a time.
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BREAKING DOWN HUNGER across our region Year after year, Feeding Northeast Florida sees increasing food insecurity rates across the 12 counties we serve with hundreds of thousands of neighbors unsure where their next meal will come from. Hunger remains a challenge in our community with neighbors stretching every dollar to make sure their families are fed. Helping paint a clearer image of the impact, Feeding America released its annual Map the Meal Gap survey to break down what hunger looks like in our region. Learn more about Map the Meal Gap by scanning the QR code or visiting: map.feedingamerica.org
Feeding America. (2026). Map the Meal Gap 2026. https://www.feedingamerica.org/sites/default/files/2026-08/Map%20 the%20Meal%20Gap%202026%20Report.pdf 1
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Feeding Northeast Florida
Feeding Northeast Florida
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NASSAU
BAKER UNION
ALACHUA
DUVAL
people experiencing food insecurity in our region
CLAY
PUTNAM FLAGLER
LEVY
People experiencing food insecurity by county1 County
Overall
Alachua
45,120
Children Cost per Meal: $4.20 10,360
Baker
3,080
1,120
$3.44
Bradford
3,960
1,240
$3.53
Clay
27,160
9,490
$3.88
Duval
142,990
50,270
$3.86
Flagler
16,040
3,890
$4.18
Gilchrist
2,740
820
$3.61
Levy
7,650
2,110
$3.61
Nassau
11,550
3,350
$4.30
Putnam
13,760
4,170
$3.56
St. Johns
29,970
7,780
$4.51
Union
2,560
820
$3.53
w ar th
Increases from 2023 to 2024 data using the Map the Meal Gap 2026 report
face the highest rates of local food insecurity
children experiencing food insecurity in our region
SOLUTION Hunger statistics are not stagnant, long-standing numbers. They fluctuate with every change in inflation, federal food assistance programs, and local economic impacts. Regardless of these changes, we must be a stable and reliable source of supplemental assistance for our community members who struggle to get enough nutritious food on the table every night. Feeding Northeast Florida is working to close an annual gap of more than 58 million1 meals missing
across our region. To close the local hunger gap in our communities, it would cost more than $230 million1. The rising demand continues to enforce the critical role that our food bank plays in the region, and we need your help. It’s through our donors, agency partners, and volunteers that help us ensure that our neighbors have access to the food and tools they need to thrive. Food is more than a meal. It’s a catalyst to strengthen lives and communities.
w tak action
TOGETHER September is a month dedicated to raising awareness of food insecurity across Northeast and North Central Florida. This Hunger Action Month, we are asking the community to stand together to help fight hunger. We feed thousands of families, children, seniors, veterans, and neighbors every day. It’s only made possible through the generosity of our community. One way you can make a difference is by following our Hunger Action Month calendar. It will serve as a guide to highlight the 30 ways you can show up for your community over the coming weeks. We all need help sometimes. You can play a vital role by letting your loved ones and neighbors know it’s okay to ask for help and sharing where they can find support. With your help, we can meet neighbors where they are. With your help, we can meet neighbors where they are.
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Feeding Northeast Florida
In addition to our regularly scheduled distributions, this Hunger Action Month, Winn-Dixie is teaming up with Feeding Northeast Florida to host a mobile food pantry. The neighborhood grocer is generously donating enough food to serve 300 families. Volunteers will help distribute fresh and shelf-stable items directly into the hands of neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 10am Location: Paxon Revival Center
How You Can Take Action Today Give your time by signing up for a volunteer shift. Every hour you give moves food into the hands of a neighbor who needs it. Give your resources. Every dollar donated to Feeding Northeast Florida helps provide meals to people experiencing food insecurity in our region. Get involved today by scanning the QR code or visiting: Feedingnefl.org/get-involved
HUNGER ACTION MONTH 30 WAYS IN 30 DAYS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST HUNGER
SEPTEMBER 2026
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Hang this calendar in your home or office to help spread awareness.
Follow us on social media to learn more about how you can end hunger in your community.
Donate to help us reach our $10,000 match goal.
Hunger Fact Friday Did you know we serve 12 counties in Northeast Florida?
National Food Bank Day
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Talk about food insecurity with your friends and family.
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Minimize waste by cooking a delicious meal with scraps or leftovers.
Labor Day Host a BBQ and invite guests to bring a donation for Feeding Northeast Florida.
Visit FNEFL.org to get a first-hand look at how we work.
Schedule a tour at Feeding Northeast Florida by calling (904) 513-1333.
Thank your local grocery store manager for donating food to the food bank.
Schedule a volunteer shift at one of our food distributions.
Set an extra place at the table for the more than 306,000 people in our region who don’t know where their next meal is coming from.
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Make a donation in their honor to support senior feeding programs.
Visit FNEFL.org to look for upcoming events to support the food bank.
Encourage your book club or community group to donate or volunteer at FNEFL.
Host a virtual food drive.
Donate the money you would spend on morning coffee to the food bank.
Hunger Fact Friday FNEFL distributed more than 38 million pounds of food last year.
Sign up for a Harvest Helpings event to pack meals for families ahead of Thanksgiving.
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Social Media Sunday Tag us in a photo to show how you are taking action this month.
As you head to the grocery store, consider picking up extra items to donate.
Check out our new merch on FNEFL.org. You can order online for pick-up or shipping.
Encourage co-workers to pack their lunch and donate the money saved to help feed kids during the school year.
SNAP Challenge
Schedule a volunteer shift with a friend.
Hunger Fact Friday FNEFL partners with more than 340 hunger -fighting agencies to reach more neighbors.
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Grandparents Day
Plant your own at home garden.
Hunger Action Day is tomorrow!
Impact will be MATCHED if we reach $10,000.
Hunger Action Day Wear ORANGE and tag us in a photo on social media.
Visit FNEFL.org to learn how you can fight hunger year-round.
National Day of Service
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Try to spend no more than $6.20 per person on food for the entire day.
Thanks to the generosity of Poppy and Rob Clements for our $10,000 match! Feeding Northeast Florida
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nourishing
RURAL FUTURES
Where you live should never determine whether you can feed your family nutritious food. Yet, across Northeast and North Central Florida, the barrier to fresh food in rural communities is rarely a lack of supply. It is a challenge of infrastructure, logistics, and distance.
To bridge this gap, our food bank launched the Food Access Infrastructure Initiative. This multi-year investment strategy directly strengthens the physical capacity of local hunger-relief agencies across our 12-county service area, with a deep focus on uplifting our rural communities. We are committed to investing more than $3.5 million in grant funding to transform the regional hunger-relief system. Because true food security starts from the ground up. How We Build Lasting Capacity The initiative is designed to address the unique challenges our rural agency partners face that limit their reach within their own community. There are several grants already in motion to address the barriers head-on.
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Retail Agency Capacity Building Grant: Partnering with Walmart and Feeding America to enhance the infrastructure capabilities of more than 30 partner agencies to enhance retail food rescue, keeping produce and proteins fresh, out of landfills and moving to kitchen tables.
FDACS Rural Infrastructure Grant: Providing 31 agency partners with upgraded loading areas, pallet jacks, box trucks, and other critical equipment needed to successfully expand rural food routes and transport large food shipments. The Fresh Start Initiative: Partnering with The Jim Moran Foundation to launch at least eight new pantries in underserved areas through 2027 to ensure long-term sustainability. Terry Family Foundation: Providing funding for supplemental food purchase credits for agencies within Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns counties, while also supporting projects to enhance signage across our entire network of hunger-fighting organizations. No Community Left Behind The initiative goes beyond a temporary fix. By investing in the foundation of our rural partner agencies, we are empowering them to grow, sustain their operations, and serve their neighborhoods reliably for years to come. To learn more about rural infrastructure initiatives scan the QR code or visit: Feedingnefl.org/access
PLANNING YOUR LEGACY through acts of giving A legacy is more than what you leave behind. It's the values you pass forward, the lives you touch, and the difference you make for future generations.
For many supporters of Feeding Northeast Florida, ensuring that no neighbor has to face hunger alone is a value they want to carry on long into the future. Through a planned gift, you can create a lasting legacy that reflects your compassion and commitment to building a stronger, healthier community. Planned giving allows you to make a meaningful future gift to Feeding Northeast Florida as part of your estate plans, often without impacting your financial needs today. Whether through a bequest in your will, a beneficiary designation, or another type of legacy gift, you have the opportunity to continue nourishing families, children, seniors, and veterans for generations to come. At Feeding Northeast Florida, we understand that legacy planning is a deeply personal decision. That's why we've created resources to help guide you through the process and provide information you can share with your professional advisors and loved ones. Our goal is to make planning simple, thoughtful, and aligned with what matters most to you.
Helping refine your legacy through planned giving is our new Major Gifts Officer, Michelle Harp. Her more than 20 years of combined experience with nonprofits and fundraising continues to fuel her personal mission of enhancing the community she lives in. Michelle previously served in a similar role at K9s for Warriors before joining our team earlier this year. Drawing on decades of experience, Michelle can help you create a legacy that reflects your values and extends your commitment to nourishing our community well into the future. Together, we can ensure that future generations have access to the food, nourishment, and support they need to thrive. Michelle Harp, Major Gifts Officer
To learn more, contact Michelle at mharp@feedingnefl.org or visit Feedingnefllegacy.org 9
HOW OUR FOOD BANK WORKS
Feeding Northeast Florida distributes millions of pounds of food to serve more than 340 agency partners and feeding programs across the 12 counties we serve. However, the journey of getting nutritious meals to neighbors experiencing food insecurity starts way before the produce even enters our warehouse. It also doesn’t end once it leaves our building. To show you how our food bank works, we are introducing Rabe the Broccoli to lead us on the adventure it takes to get food into the hands of people who need it most. To learn about how the food bank works scan the QR code or go to: Feedingnefl.org/how-it-works
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Feeding Northeast Florida
HARVEST packing event HELPINGS Kick off the season of giving by joining us for our annual Harvest Helpings packing events on November 6th & 7th. You have the chance to directly impact holiday celebrations across Northeast Florida by assembling boxes with all the pantry staples needed for a complete Thanksgiving feast. Every ticket purchased for the event will provide a Thanksgiving meal for a family. Or you can sponsor the event and create your own volunteer team. Together, we’re aiming to pack enough holiday boxes to distribute 60,000 meals to families. Sign up to sponsor or volunteer by scanning the QR code or visiting Feedingnefl.org/events
with purpos SHOP Every purchase helps amplify our fight against hunger by building visibility, sparking conversations, and strengthening community support year-round. New gear, new looks — shop and support the mission with every purchase.
Feedingnefl.org/shop
Feeding Northeast Florida
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Feeding Northeast Florida 5245 Old Kings Road Jacksonville, FL 32254
WAYS TO GIVE FEEDINGNEFL.ORG/NEWSLETTER-SUPPORT
Contact us: Michelle Harp | Major Gifts Officer (904) 513-1333 | mharp@feedingnefl.org
DONATE ONLINE Every $1 you give results in enough food for 6 nutritious meals. MONTHLY GIVING Set up a recurring gift online to ensure we can keep feeding our neighbors year-round. FUND DRIVES Host a virtual food drive that provides a fun and efficient way for participants to combat hunger. GIFTS OF STOCK Give and get more through stock donations— your gift is tax-deductible and incurs no capital gains tax. IRA DISTRIBUTIONS Make a difference today and save on your taxes when you support Feeding Northeast Florida through your IRA. EMPLOYEE GIVING Consider listing Feeding Northeast Florida as a charity of choice, or request your employer match gifts donated. BEQUESTS Making a gift through your will or revocable living trust is a simple and flexible way to provide access to food and support your community for years to come.