SNAP — short for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and formerly called “food stamps” — provide food assistance to about 3 million Floridians, and 1 million of those are children.
With the current government shutdown, SNAP benefits are expected to end today, Saturday, November 1.
As a service to the community, I’m posting this list of food banks and restaurants are serving free meals to kids.
- If you need these services, use them!
- If you don’t need these services, support them!
Food banks and related services
| Name | Address | Phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding Tampa Bay | 3624 Causeway Blvd, Tampa, FL 33619 | 813-254-1190 | Serves 10 counties including Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Citrus, and Hernando. They’re a major regional hub, and well equipped to handle increased demand. |
| Food Bank of Manatee | 811 23rd Avenue East, Bradenton, FL 34208 | 941-747-4655 | Serves Manatee County.
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| Community Food Bank of Citrus County | 5259 W Cardinal St, Homosassa, FL 34446 | 352-628-3663 | Serves Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter counties.
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| The Volunteer Way | 8061 Congress St, Port Richey, FL 34668 | 727-815-0433 | Serves Pasco County.
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| United Food Bank & Services of Plant City | 702 E Alsobrook St, Plant City, FL 33563 | 813-764-0625 | Serves East Hillsborough County.
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| Hope Villages of America (formerly RCS Food Bank) | 700 Druid Rd E, Clearwater, FL 33756 | 727-443-4031 | Serves Pinellas County (north of Ulmerton Road).
Dedicated to supporting families facing hunger and homelessness. |
| Metropolitan Ministries | 2002 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33602 | 813-209-1000 | Serves Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, and Polk counties.
They offer broad reach and deep experience helping families navigate food insecurity and related crises. |
| Hope Villages of America (formerly RCS Food Bank) | 700 Druid Rd E, Clearwater, FL 33756 | 727-443-4031 | Serves Pinellas County (north of Ulmerton Road).
Dedicated to supporting families facing hunger and homelessness. |
| Ready for Life + Beth Dillinger Foundation + First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin | 2300 Tall Pines Dr #100, Largo, FL 33771 | Packing emergency meal kits for former foster care youth and families to bridge food gap. | |
| Cutting Edge Ministries Inc. | 3059 Elm St, Zolfo Springs, FL 33890 | 863-773-2484 | Local rural food bank bracing for increased need due to SNAP funding uncertainty. |
| The Volunteer Way | 8061 Congress St, Port Richey, FL 34668 | 727-815-0433 | Nonprofit providing food distribution programs to low‑income families and individuals in Pasco. |
| All Faiths Food Bank | 8171 Blaikie Ct, Sarasota, FL 34240 | 941-379-6333 | Countywide food pantry network offering free groceries and meals to residents in need. |
Restaurants with free meals for kids
| Name | Address | Phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7th and Grove | 1930 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605 | 813-649-8422 | “Pay what you want” every Tuesday, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. (One dinner per person. Must be present to redeem). An option to donate toward feeding hungry families will soon be posted to 7thandgrove.com. |
| Blind Tiger Coffee Roasters | Multiple branches | Kids eat for free at all locations. | |
| Burger Monger | Multiple branches | Burger Monger will provide a bagged lunch for each child present with you — just ask for a “Monger Bag.” | |
| Chicken Salad Chick | Multiple branches | Children under 12 eat for free — dine-in only. | |
| Cracker’s Bar & Grill | 502 NW 6th St, Crystal River, FL 34428 | 352-795-3999 | Crackers Kids meals special! Either a grilled cheese or chicken fingers with applesauce to-go for free. |
| Crossroads Hot Chicken | 10284 Causeway Blvd, Tampa, FL 33619 | 813-442-5932 | Kids 14 and under can get a FREE Two strip basket w/ standard side with the purchase of a regularly priced meal. Kids must be present at time of purchase and the discount only applies to purchases made in store. Dine in, pick up, order online, or have it delivered Tuesday to Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM. |
| The Dunedin Smokehouse | 471 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698 | 727-736-2227 | “Dunedin kid bag” to get a bagged to-go lunch for as many children are present, until SNAP benefits are restored. No purchase necessary. |
| Emily’s Family Restaurant | 2609 US-19 ALT, Palm Harbor, FL 34683 | 727-786-7407 | A “Care Bag” for every child with you. Each includes a turkey sandwich with cheese or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a drink, and a side — free for any child whose family is affected by the SNAP pause. No purchase necessary, no questions asked. |
| Fusion Street Eatery | 422 Patricia Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698 | 727-533-5390 | Kids eat for free — call in your order at 727-533-5390. |
| Gigglewaters | 737 Main St #104, Safety Harbor, FL 34695 | 727-669-7077 | “GiggleBag:” a simple, bagged to-go lunch. One for every child with you, every single day, no purchase necessary, until SNAP benefits are reinstated in Florida. |
| Honeycomb Bread Bakers | 140 6th St SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880 | 863-662-5513 | They’re providing a 100% discount on food and coffee if you present an EBT card, once per day per family. |
| Il Forno Italian Restaurant | Both locations | They’re providing a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult meal — dine-in only. The child must be present. | |
| Jack Willie’s Bar, Grill & Tiki | 1013 St Petersburg Dr W, Oldsmar, FL 34677 | 813-749-7932 | Ask for a Jacks bag for any child with you and they’ll provide a free kids meal to go. |
| The Living Room (Wesley Chapel) | 2001 Piazza Ave Suite 100, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 | 813-934-7911 | Both The Living Room Dunedin and The Living Room at Wiregrass will have free bag lunches available for any children whose families are affected by the SNAP/EBT pause. Each lunch includes your choice of ham and cheese or peanut butter and jelly, fresh fruit and a drink. No purchase necessary, no questions asked. |
| Orange Blossom | Commons Apartments, 2101 Multrees Xing UNIT 101, Dunedin, FL 34698 | 727-401-3003 | Offers a free kids meal, no questions asked. |
| Orange Cycle Creamery | 212 E Tarpon Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 | 727-935-1260 | Giving out a free junior cup or cone to “those affected by the SNAP/EBT pause. No purchase necessary and no questions asked. |
| Orchids Thai & Sushi Restaurant | 8647 Regency Park Blvd, Port Richey, FL 34668 | 727-844-3125 | They’re handing out free portions of egg fried rice — just present an EBT card and matching ID. |
| Our Place | 1101 S Missouri Ave, Clearwater, FL 33756 | 727-754-3978 | Kids eat for free — they’re providing a bagged lunch for as many children present with you. Ask for a “We Care” bag. |
| Parlor House Bistro | 1757 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698 | 727-442-1217 | Free bagged lunch for any child in need of a meal (choose between chicken tenders or ham and cheese sliders, plus banana, juice box and treat). Ask for your “Parlor Bag” and a free lunch will be given. No questions. No reservations needed. |
| Peach Cobbler Factory (Bradenton) | 629 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton, FL 34207 | 941-213-9545 | “This weekend, we’re offering: weekend highlight: kids eat free, November 1–2, 2025. We want every child who visits to enjoy a warm meal — no questions asked. What’s included: one savory cobbler entrée (Chicken, Italian, or Turkey), one kid-sized cookie, one beverage (water or hot chocolate). Eligibility: any child visiting our Bradenton location this weekend. Limit: one combo per child per day. Requirements: children must be present; dine-in only; no purchase necessary.” |
| Pia’s Trattoria | 3054 Beach Blvd S, Gulfport, FL 33707 | 727-327-2190 | “Shutdown-To-Go-Special” no questions asked. The free meal is pasta pomodoro, bread and salad, available Wednesday-Sunday, during a one-hour pickup window of 5 p.m.-6 p.m. |
| Skipper’s Smokehouse | 910 Skipper Rd, Tampa, FL 33613 | 813-971-0666 | Kids Eat Free – all day, every single day Thursday through Sunday until SNAP benefits are restored. Dine-in, only. Sorry, no takeout options available. No purchase necessary. One meal per child. |
| Tommy’s Hideaway | 3121 Beach Blvd S, Gulfport, FL 33707 | 727-623-4288 | Kids eat pizza or pasta for free. |
| The Violet Stone | 2607 Dr M.L.K. Jr St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704 | 727-202-8940 | “Shutdown special” available via call-or-walk-in to pick up between 4 p.m.-5 p.m. daily. |
| Waterfront Social / Bayside Kraft Kitchen | 1610 SE Paradise Cir, Crystal River, FL 34429 | 352-795-3113 | Kids eat free; drive-in only. The child must be present — just mention “SNAP” to your server. |