Children & Seniors Programs

It’s nearly impossible for kids to sit still and focus when they don’t have enough to eat. Teens with empty stomachs can’t concentrate on studying and preparing for exams. The effects of hunger reach far beyond the classroom, influencing health, well-being, and earning potential well into adulthood.  

Thanks to longtime community partnerships, the Food Bank provides nutritious food and support to area families year-round — connecting kids and teens with the resources they need to succeed and thrive. Through school-based pantries, meals and snacks at afterschool programs, take-home options for weekends and school breaks, and breakfast and lunches at summer meal sites, our Child Nutrition team works closely with local agencies and school districts to meet children, parents, and caregivers where they are throughout the year. 

 

Youth Pantries at Schools and Colleges

Youth Pantries support students and families with no-cost food resources at public and private schools, colleges and university campuses, and nearby community- and faith-based organizations. These secure, temperature-controlled spaces accommodate a wide range of options, from market-style shopping to pre-packed food boxes. Since the first Youth Pantry opened in 2014, the program has grown to 21 campuses, supporting more than 4,000  students each year with fresh and frozen produce, meat, dairy products and pantry staples.  

Kids Cafés

For nearly 25 years, the Food Bank has supported local partners in operating Kids Cafés, providing dinner and/or snacks alongside academic enrichment, mentorship, and recreation opportunities for children and teens enrolled in afterschool programs. With active programs in 16 counties and growing, Kids Cafés provide a safe and supportive environment for young people to gather and learn after school — serving more than 151,000 meals and snacks during the 2024-25 academic year alone. 
Kids Cafes Nourish Children’s Minds and Bodies

Weekend Power Packs

Weekend Power Packs provide kids and teens with a backpack full of shelf-stable food to take home for the weekend or over school breaks. Each week, Food Bank partners assemble these backpacks for discreet distribution to students by social workers, counselors, teachers and school support staff. Power Packs contain a variety of protein, fruits and vegetables, snacks, milk, cereal, and other items that can be easily prepared at home — helping to ensure families have options when school meals are unavailable.  Weekend Power Packs began in 2005 with 30 students at a single school and has grown to provide more than 1,304,265 packs for kids and teens across 200 campuses!
Weekend Power Packs: Helping Kids Thrive

Summer Meals for Families

Since 2008, the Food Bank has partnered with local organizations to serve breakfast and lunch to children and teens through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Summer meal sites are located at easily–accessible locations including community centers, churches, and summer camps during months when schools are closed — providing nutritious food options along with outdoor recreation and summer reading initiatives. This summer, Food Bank partners served more than 109,000 meals to children and teens across 22 counties!
Resources and Action to Help Stop Summer Hunger

Looking for support in your neighborhood?

Our network includes more than 700 local pantries, no-cost markets, meal sites, and delivery programs — and everyone is welcome. Type in your zip code to find locations near you.

Advocate to Prevent Child Hunger

Make your voice heard on public policies and investments that give young people the nutrition they need to succeeed — and move us closer to a future where no one goes hungry.
Advocate

Join us in the fight to end child hunger.

From one-time support to long-term partnerships, there are many ways to makea difference in your community.

Support Hunger Relief

Together, we can meet the hunger crisis head-on and help neigbhors thrive. Your donation of food or funds is cirtical to our shared mission — and every $10 gift provides 50 meals!
Give

Lend Your Time

From preparing backpacks in our warehouses, to distributing resources in local schools, to advocating for stronger child nutrition programs, volunteers are the heart and soul of our work at the Food Bank.
Volunteer

Become a Partner

If your school or parent group is in an underserved area and has the capacity to support, there are many ways to get involved locally. We'd be honored to help find the best path to deepen your impact.
Partner