Feeding Northeast Florida Prepares As Hurricane Season Approaches
Area non-profit food bank plans for disaster recovery efforts
Jacksonville, Fl. –– June 3, 2025 –– Feeding Northeast Florida (FNEFL), the region’s largest nonprofit food bank and hunger relief network, is gearing up for the upcoming start of hurricane season. The organization partners with local, regional and state-wide services to ensure it is ready to respond in case an emergency heads toward the First Coast.
The food bank currently serves on the steering committee of Duval County’s Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), and coordinates with the county’s Emergency Operations Center to develop effective recovery plans in times of disaster. The organization also collaborates with the State of Florida Division of Emergency Management, and the emergency management divisions in each of the twelve counties it serves as a support organization for disaster response in our region.
FNEFL also keeps emergency food, water and MRE stockpiles at its warehouse, so no matter when a disaster strikes, the organization can rush out supplies to those immediately affected. The food bank also works closely with government agencies and other disaster organizations to make sure everyone in impacted communities gets the help they need. After a storm, FNEFL quickly springs into action, setting up mobile food pantries and teaming up with necessary partner agencies to procure additional supplies and ensure they get into neighborhoods efficiently.
“Hurricanes are always top of mind this time of year,” said Susan King, President & CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida. “We know that disaster can strike at any time, so we prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Serving alongside other disaster relief networks strengthens the impact we can make in a community after a storm or other emergency has happened, and we take pride in being able to provide food, water and boots on the ground to communities in need. When the storm comes, be comforted that your food bank stands at the ready to make sure no one goes hungry.”
Across the 12 counties FNEFL serves, more than 310,020 individuals face food insecurity, including 93,690 children –– that’s one in seven adults and one in five children in our community. These staggering numbers represent a 17% increase over last year, and the need is only rising. The majority of the individuals served by FNEFL represent working families that are simply unable to make ends meet, as inflation rates and costs continue to rise. A disaster like a hurricane can exacerbate the problem, wiping out freezers and refrigerated goods with families unable to afford to restock them. FNEFL stands in the gap to meet the needs of those they serve during hurricane season and year-round.
Last year, FNEFL completed 25 disaster distributions during hurricanes Helene and Milton, providing the community with 520,236 pounds of food and essential goods. These distributions represent additions made to existing operations within the 12 counties the organization serves. Additionally, trucks and team members were deployed to Augusta and Savannah, Georgia as well as Tampa, Florida to assist other food banks with distributing products and food boxes. Through a significant donation from Dollar General, FNEFL was also able to distribute 9,000 pounds of cleaning supplies that included dishwashing liquid, bleach, disinfecting wipes, mops, brooms, and laundry detergent.
In preparation for disasters, FNEFL handed out more than 8,000 “doc boxes” to neighbors in 2024. The water-resistant boxes were donated by HYTORC to provide community members with a safe, organized way to store important documents for quick access during crises.
In the event a storm heads our way, FNEFL recommends individuals take the time to prepare. The food bank recommends individuals secure enough non-perishable food items, water, and pet supplies for at least seven days; a can opener, disposable plates and cutlery and any other cooking supplies you may need; personal hygiene and sanitation items; at least two weeks’ worth of medications; first-aid supplies; and a generator, flashlights, batteries, cell phone chargers, and a radio. Individuals who find themselves in need of food and disaster supplies can visit one of FNEFL’s 500+ partner agencies' pantries or mobile distributions for support.
FNEFL is part of a strong national network of food banks, including Feeding Florida and Feeding America, that provide aid during disasters. In addition to providing hurricane support, Feeding Northeast Florida has held emergency disaster relief distributions in St. John’s, Duval, Nassau, and Levy counties, along with underserved neighborhoods across Duval County that are prone to flooding in collaboration with United Way. The food bank has also provided Hurricane relief assistance to its sister food banks in both Florida and Georgia. FNEFL is prepared, and if disaster strikes, they stand at the ready to respond.
For more information, to sign up to volunteer for disaster distributions or other efforts, to donate, or to find food, visit feedingnefl.org.
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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.