Operate a Food Pantry as a Partner Agency.
A food pantry is a community-based program that collects and safely stores food and household products for free distribution to low-income and needy members of the community.
Each pantry sets its distributing frequency and hours of operation.
New pantries are added based on the identified needs in your area and must be a 501C3, as recognized by the IRS with a letter of determination or exempt as a Church.
Benefits of Food Pantries:
- Offer a sustainable source of food for food-insecure families in the community.
- Free up finances for families that would otherwise be spent on groceries.
- Empower communities to combat hunger in their own backyards.
- Connect families with community services to alleviate other hardships.
If your organization is interested in becoming a pantry, please fill out an interest form.
For more information about operating a food pantry as a Partner Agency, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Cynthia Douglas, Assistant Programs Manager, at (850) 544-2277 or Cynthia@FightingHunger.org.
Interested In Becoming an Agency Partner?
Our mission is to end hunger with community partnerships. To that end, we seek to partner with programs that also are working to end hunger in their own communities. If your organization is located within Second Harvest of the Big Bend’s 11-county distribution area, and you are interested in partnering with Second Harvest to receive food bank distributions, please review the following Partner Agency requirements:
Important Considerations and First Steps to Take to be Considered for Partnership:
- Must be a 501C3, as recognized by the IRS with a letter of determination or complete the Church Qualifier Form.
- Must attend the Partnership Interest Meeting. Pre-registration is required. This meeting is held every 2nd Tuesday of the month from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at 4446 Entrepot Blvd., Tallahassee.
- Must have a temperature-controlled facility with a locked room to store food on shelves (off the floor)
- Must maintain, at a minimum, quarterly pest control from a licensed professional
- If the site is a pantry, the pantry must be open to the public a minimum of once per
- month
- Must adhere to civil rights and food safety protocols as noted in agency partnership
- agreement, new partner orientation and all ongoing partner training events
- Must have a working computer with internet access
Application Process and Partnership Review Timeline:
After attending the Partnership Interest Meeting, you will be invited to complete the Application for Partnership. Applications are reviewed the first week of each month. You will be notified of your application status following the review. Upon acceptance, an onsite review will be conducted. After all steps are completed, all new partner agency food pantry staff and volunteers are required to attend a New Partner Orientation meeting, held monthly.
For additional information about partnering with Second Harvest, contact: Agency Relations, Agencyrelations@fightinghunger.org