Agape Food Bank

Food Distribution for Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties

In Polk County, which ranks third in the nation in “food hardship,” people depend on the Agape Food Bank.

We collect more than 5 million pounds of donated food each year, managing and distributing it to an estimated 100,000 needy families and individuals in Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties.

We do so mainly through our members, a network of more than 248 soup kitchens, churches, senior centers and other not-for-profits. We also rely on powerful national partners:

• We are the only agent in Polk County for Feeding America, the largest hunger-relief program in the nation
• We are the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s sole designee in Polk to receive and distribute free food from the government

Agape’s outreach efforts include “mobile pantries,” in which the food bank loads a truck and goes to remote neighborhoods that have been identified as high-need. These pantries usually occur at least once a month.

Agape also recently has started “SmilePak,” a program in which backpacks containing food for the weekend are given to 400 needy children in kindergarten through high school.

Our mission is to alleviate hunger in our region by providing not only food, but education and other resources. For example, in the near future, we will offer nutrition education and food safety classes, teaching people how to prepare food commonly provided by food pantries.

How can you help?

Agape Food Bank is always looking for food donations. In addition, we are accepting money to offset the costs of the SmilePak program and mobile pantry. Just click the red “Donate” button on this website and designate your donation for Agape.

If you have questions or would like more information about the Agape Food Bank, please email: agapefoodbank@cflcc.org