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NewsABC Action News (WFTS) — NewsJuly 30, 2026Hillsborough

How School Pantries in Hillsborough County Are Supporting Student Success

Feeding Tampa Bay has expanded its school pantry program to 30 Title 1 schools in Hillsborough County to provide food for students outside of school meal hours. The initiative aims to address food insecurity, which officials report has correlated with improved student attendance, behavior, and academic grades.

educationfood securitycommunity servicesHillsborough County
Read the full story at ABC Action News (WFTS) — News

Why It Matters

The program provides supplemental food to students at 30 in Hillsborough County, aiming to address during nights, weekends, and summers to support student academic performance.

Key Facts

  • The Feeding Mind school pantry program currently operates in 92 schools across five counties in the Tampa Bay area.
  • The program began as a test in 8 Hillsborough County schools in 2018.
  • There are currently 30 Title 1 schools in Hillsborough County equipped with these pantries.
  • The pantries provide food for dinner, weekends, and summers to supplement school-provided breakfast and lunch.
  • Hillsborough County Superintendent Van Ayers reported that all schools in the district's 'transformation network' (lower-performing schools) are now graded A, B, or C by the state.
  • Program organizers report improvements in student attendance, family-school relationships, and grades, alongside a decrease in reported behavior problems.
  • The 'Pack the Pantries and more' initiative is a partnership between Tampa Bay 28, Feeding Tampa Bay, and Achieva Credit Union.
  • The initiative accepts donations of non-perishable food and school supplies at participating Achieva Credit Union locations.

Who's Mentioned

organizationAchieva Credit Union“Corporate partner for the 'Pack the Pantries' initiative.”organizationFeeding Tampa Bay“Non-profit organization managing the school pantry program.”other92“Number of schools currently participating in the program across five counties.”locationHillsborough County“Primary location of the school pantry program.”personVan Ayers“Hillsborough County Superintendent.”organizationTampa Bay 28“Media outlet hosting the 'Pack the Pantries' initiative.”personThomas Mantz“President and CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay.”other30“Number of Title 1 schools in Hillsborough County with pantries.”