In-School Food Pantry Program Reduces Hunger Barriers to Learning

When students don't know where their next meal will come from, it can be difficult to concentrate in the classroom. The Feeding Minds School Pantry Program is helping change that by providing free, nutritious groceries at 30 Hillsborough County public schools. The program is a partnership between Hillsborough County Homeless & Community Services, the Children's Board of Hillsborough County, Feeding Tampa Bay (FTB), and Hillsborough County Public Schools.

"With rising inflation forcing families across our community to rethink their budgets, the vital support from Hillsborough County and the Children's Board of Hillsborough County has been a lifeline for those engaging with FTB's Feeding Minds school pantries. Thanks to their investment, 30 school pantries are bridging the gap, ensuring our local children and their families have the dignity of choosing fresh, healthy, and nourishing meals to be enjoyed around their table," Shannon Hannon Oliviero, Feeding Tampa Bay's director of public affairs, said.

Bringing Food Closer to Families

Unlike traditional food pantries that require families to travel to a separate location, the Feeding Minds School Pantry Program operates inside participating schools, removing transportation barriers and improving access to nutritious food. Because families already visit schools to drop off and pick up children or attend school activities, they can access groceries in a familiar, trusted environment without making an additional trip.

The Feeding Minds Pantry Program began in 2018 as a pilot program in eight Hillsborough County schools. It's now expanded to 90 school pantries in Tampa Bay, including multiple colleges and charter schools. Since it started, the pantries have served more than 5.7 million meals in Hillsborough County.

Helping Students Succeed

One in four children worldwide experience severe hunger. This reality deeply affects how students learn and engage in school.

Research shows that children experiencing food insecurity are more likely to have difficulty concentrating, attending school regularly, and performing well academically. Consistent access to nutritious food supports children's physical health while improving their ability to focus, participate in class, and learn.

Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent Van Ayers recognizes the academic transformation made possible by this support. For the first time in district history schools improved to an A, B, or C grade, a milestone directly linked to reduced food insecurity and improved student well being.

This milestone demonstrates how reducing food insecurity lays a critical foundation for student success, empowering learners to reach their full potential and strengthening school communities across the county.

How The Program Works

Hillsborough County Homeless & Community Services is one of several community partners that help fund the Feeding Minds Pantry Program. In September 2025, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners approved more than $536,000 in funding, which was matched with $500,000 from the Children's Board of Hillsborough County. The investment helps Feeding Tampa Bay purchase food, collect donated food, transport groceries to schools, and safely store and distribute food through the school pantries.

Impact During the 2025-2026 School Year

Through this partnership, the Feeding Minds School Pantry Program:

• Served 74,596 individuals representing 21,396 households
• Distributed more than 811,600 pounds of food at participating schools

These efforts strengthened food security, supported household stability, and contributed to improved student success. The program's impact reflects the shared commitment of Feeding Tampa Bay, Hillsborough County BOCC, the Children's Board of Hillsborough County, and Hillsborough County Public Schools to ensuring students and their families have reliable access to nutritious food.