Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Second Harvest? 

Second Harvest of the Big Bend food bank is a private, nonprofit organization that collects, stores and distributes donated food to 135 partner agencies in 11 Big Bend Florida counties.

What areas do you serve?

We distribute food in Leon, Gadsden, Jackson, Calhoun, Liberty, Gulf, Franklin, Jefferson, Taylor, Madison, Wakulla and Counties.

Who is hungry in the Big Bend?

Click here to learn about who is hungry in the Big Bend.

Where does the Food Bank get its food?
Food comes to us from farmers, grocery stores, retailers, distributors, wholesale and other food industry
sources. In addition, kind-hearted members of our community hold food drives that bring in tons of
food.

How is the food distributed?

We partner with 135 agencies and oversee multiple programs to get food to the people who need it the most. Click here to learn about our food distribution programs.

How does the Food Bank help in a natural disaster?

Second Harvest of the Big Bend plays a vital role in responding to emergencies such as floods, tornadoes and hurricanes throughout the state. As an affiliate of Feeding America, Second Harvest responds to local, regional and national disasters.

What is the Food Bank’s connection with Feeding America?

Second Harvest of the Big Bend is a member of Feeding America, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that helps feed people across the country. Click here to learn more about this network of food banks.

How do I get food?

If you need immediate assistance, please call 2-1-1 to reach the Big Bend 211 24-hour help line.

In addition to specialized programs for children and seniors, Second Harvest primarily distributes food in two ways:

1. Through a network of 135 Partner Agencies located in Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla counties. You can use our interactive map to find the pantry closest to you, or you can view our partner pantries by county, here.
2. Mobile food distributions announced on our homepage and updated weekly.

How does an individual sign up to volunteer?

View a list of upcoming volunteer opportunities and sign up for a shift by going to our online volunteer portal at www.fightinghunger.volunteerhub.com. After you click on the opportunity that shows available slots, there is a SIGN UP button on the bottom that will take you through the registration process. If you are interested in a specific volunteer date or have a question, please contact Libby Simmons at Libby@feedinghunger.org. Please note that all individual volunteers must complete a one-time volunteer orientation prior to volunteering. Check the Second Harvest events calendar for upcoming orientation opportunities.

How old do you have to be to volunteer?

Volunteers must be at least 14 years old with a chaperone who is 18 years or older to help in our facility, 16 years old without a chaperone.

How can I sign up my group to volunteer?
If you have five or more individuals volunteering together, we encourage you to sign up as a group. Just visit our online volunteer management site to view shifts that are available. Place your mouse over the opportunity that you are interested in and it will let you know if any slots are open. Once you find an
opportunity for your groups, email Libby Simmons at Libby@fightinghunger.org with the following info: 1. Name of group. 2. Number of volunteers in your group. 3. Volunteer opportunity date and shift. You will then receive an email from Libby confirming your group volunteer shift.

Can Second Harvest accommodate volunteers with special needs or a physical handicap or disability?
Yes, please contact Libby Simmons at Libby@fightinghunger.org or via phone at 850-562-3033 ext. 221 to schedule a volunteer opportunity.

Do you accept court-ordered community service volunteers?

Yes, except for violent or sexual offenders.

 Where can I drop off food?

Donations can be dropped off at our warehouse located at 4446 Entrepot Boulevard Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Please come in through the west entrance and proceed straight to the loading ramp area where your donation will be weighed, and you will be provided with a
receipt.

What are your most needed items?

Our most needed items are canned fruits and vegetables, hearty soups and stews, cereal, canned protein and peanut butter.

Does the food bank need more food or money?

Monetary and food donations are both vital for Second Harvest to be successful in helping our hungry neighbors. It can be helpful to consider, however, that for every $10 contributed to our mission, we can provide 40 meals. That’s up to four times more food than you would be able to access at retail (or even wholesale club) prices if you bought it yourself and gave the food. And the difference becomes even more significant as the amount of a gift grows.  For example, consider what $4,000 worth of groceries made possible by a $1,000 gift might look like!

How can I donate money online?

It’s very simple! Click on the “Donate” button on our home page, or look for the Give Now buttons on each page of our website to access our easy online giving form to contribute in a secure way with your credit card. It just takes a few minutes to complete, and the funds will be helping provide more food right away.

Can a $10 donation make a difference?
Hunger is a ‘one person, one meal’ at a time kind of problem. And for kids, seniors, families, veterans…literally every meal counts. Imagine a table set with 40 place settings and plates loaded with food if you would like a mental image of what $10 can do to help.

Is my donation to the Food Bank tax-deductible?

Yes. Second Harvest of the Big Bend is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax- deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Where does my money go when I donate?
Unless you choose a specific designation for your donation, all monetary gifts to Second Harvest food bank are used as needed to support our mission to feed the hungry in the Big Bend.