Area nonprofit hosts competition to assemble snack packs that will help feed children in need this summer
Jacksonville, Fla. –– April 24, 2025 –– Feeding Northeast Florida (FNEFL), the region’s largest nonprofit food bank, today announced its first-ever Summer Snackdown event, presented by Morgan & Morgan, aimed at providing snack packs for area children in need this summer. The event will take place on May 9 at the food bank’s home campus, located at 5425 Old Kings Road in Jacksonville.
For the one in five children facing food insecurity in the local community, summer means losing access to daily meals they rely on during the school year — leaving families struggling to fill in the gaps. This year, FNEFL has designed an event to encourage members of the community to join in the fight against hunger. The Summer Snackdown will be a high-energy event where teams will compete head-to-head to be the undisputed snack packing champions. The event aims to fill 10,000 snack packs for local children in need. The winning team will be crowned Snackdown Champion and receive a prize.
“Summer is a difficult time for many families,” said Susan King, President & CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida. “When kids are out of school, many families struggle to cover additional child care and food. With the rising costs of many essentials, oftentimes making up the meals children typically receive at school is something they simply can’t afford. FNEFL provides snack packs and other fresh produce that help sustain families year round. We know hunger doesn’t disappear when school ends. This event, and other programs like it, make an immediate impact for children and families in Duval County. So please gather a group of friends and join us in making an impact –– and having a great time doing it.”
Snack packs, a longstanding program from FNEFL, consist of six items: a beverage, a breakfast item, a salty snack, a shelf-stable fruit, a meat or protein option and one extra snack of any of the previous categories, and cost approximately $5.25 to assemble and distribute, up from the $4 per pack cost last year. The packs are then distributed through a network of agency partners, feeding programs, and schools and summer camps. This important program helps fill the nutritional gaps many children face throughout the year, especially important through the summer months. On average, FNEFL distributes around 2,500 snack packs per week, with a waiting list of more than 5,000 students. The food bank hopes to expand this program with additional funding, sponsorship opportunities, and events like this. This inaugural competitive event will provide immediate nutrition support for vulnerable children, while also raising awareness and vital funding for FNEFL’s ongoing mission to end hunger in Northeast and North Central Florida.
Tickets start at $25 for individuals, with group, corporate and sponsorship rates also available. For more information or to register for the Summer Snackdown event, visit feedingnefl.org/snackdown.
###
About Feeding Northeast Florida (FNEFL):
Feeding Northeast Florida (FNEFL) is the region’s largest nonprofit (501c3) food bank and hunger relief network. FNEFL provides nutritious foods and other essential goods to those in need and strives to improve the quality of life for people living in and around Northeast and North Central Florida by addressing food insecurity, poverty and poor health. Alongside our network of food distribution, agency and community partners, the Food Bank provides food resources and hope to help all people living in our 12-county service area (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Levy, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns and Union) who struggle to feed themselves and their families. Feeding Northeast Florida works daily to find solutions to address the issues of food insecurity and poverty through awareness, advocacy, education, and action in ways that promote dignity, respect and empowerment. For more information, visit feedingnefl.org.