Three million Floridians rely on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a federal program best known as SNAP. More than a million of those people are children.
As the government shutdown nears a month long, SNAP benefits are expected to end on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has responded to calls to safeguard the program for his constituents by passing the buck to Chuck Schumer, the U.S. Senate Democratic Leader from New York, according to the Florida Phoenix. So locals are stepping up.
Spearheaded by Safety Harbor Best of the Bay-winner Gigglewaters, Tampa Bay restaurants have decided to ignore the politics of it all and offer free food to children.
Here’s a developing list of every Tampa Bay restaurant stepping up to the plate. Click through the establishment’s name for the most updated information. As of noon on Monday, Nov. 3, over two dozen restaurants were part of this list.
If you’re a restaurant offering help to kids during the government shutdown, please email Creative Loafing Tampa Bay to let us know.
Other local entities offering assistance to hungry people include Feeding Tampa Bay, St. Pete Free Clinic, and more.
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7th and Grove The Ybor City southern restaurant is now offering “pay what you want” every Tuesday, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. (One dinner per person. Must be present to redeem). An option to donate toward feeding hungry families will soon be posted to 7thandgrove.com. 1930 E 7th Ave., Ybor City
Blind Tiger Coffee Roasters ” …beginning Saturday, November 1st, any child at any Blind Tiger location will receive a free meal. No purchase necessary, no questions asked. It’s a simple meal. A sandwich, some fruit, and a drink, but we hope it helps lighten the load for families who need it most.” Multiple locations
Burger Monger ” …ask for a ‘“’MongerBag.’ You’ll receive a free to-go bagged lunch for each child with you—no purchase required. We’ll be offering this every day until SNAP benefits are reinstated, because no child should go hungry. Multiple locations
Cracker’s Bar & Grill “To help provide back to our community we would like to do Crackers Kids meals special! Either a grilled cheese or chicken fingers with applesauce to-go on us for those in need! We feel for our community and what these changes bring for our futures.” 502 NW 6th St., Crystal River
Crossroads Hot Chicken “Starting tomorrow (Nov. 1) and running until the SNAP benefits are restored, kids 14 and under can get a FREE Two strip basket w/ standard side with the purchase of a regularly priced meal. Kids must be present at time of purchase and the discount only applies to purchases made in store. Dine in, pick up, order online, or have it delivered Tuesday to Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM!” 10284 Causeway Blvd, Tampa
The Dunedin Smokehouse Starting Nov. 1, visitors to the Best of the Bay-winning restaurant can ask for the “Dunedin kid bag” to get a bagged to-go lunch for as many children are present, until SNAP benefits are restored. No purchase necessary. 471 Main St, Dunedin
Emily’s Family Restaurant “Starting Monday, November 3rd, stop by Emily’s Family Restaurant and ask for a “Care Bag,” one for every child with you. Each includes a turkey sandwich with cheese or a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, a drink, and a side — free for any child whose family is affected by the SNAP pause.
No purchase necessary, no questions asked — just a meal if your little ones are hungry. We’ll continue offering these meals for as long as we’re able…” 2609 U.S.-Hwy-19 Alt, Palm Harbor
Fusion Street Eatery Free kids meals for as long as needed, no questions asked. “Just call in your order for available meals.” 727-533-5390. 422 Patricia Ave., Dunedin
Gigglewaters “Starting November 1st, stop in and ask for a “GiggleBag.” It’s just a simple, bagged to-go lunch, nothing fancy, but it’s a meal if your children are hungry. One for every child with you, every single day, no purchase necessary, until SNAP benefits are reinstated in Florida. We’ll keep helping however we can, for as long as we can.” 737 Main St. #104 Safety Harbor
HoggDaddys Beach Bar & Grill From Nov. 1 until further notice. Choice between cheeseburger, chicken fingers, shrimp, or BBQ pork sliders—all served with fries and drink. “fYou just say you are part of the ‘“’HoggDaddys Community Rewards Program’”’ and we will make sure the kids 12 and under are rewarded.” 752 Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach
Ice Dreammm Shop “Ice cream isn’t a necessity, but getting ice cream has always made me feel better. It was those very family moments that inspired me to bring Ice Dreammm to life. With that in mind, starting tomorrow I want to join in on the effort and offer any family affected by this pause the chance to bring in your children for a free kids cup with absolutely no questions asked.” 23912 SR-54 No. 2, Lutz
Jack Willie’s Bar, Grill & Tiki “Ask for a Jacks bag for any child with you and we will provide a free kids meal to go for as long as the shut down is going.” 1013 Saint Petersburg Dr. W, Oldsmar
The Living Room (Wesley Chapel) “Starting tomorrow morning, both The Living Room Dunedin and The Living Room at Wiregrass will have free bag lunches available for any children whose families are affected by the SNAP/EBT pause. Each lunch includes your choice of: 🥪 Ham & Cheese or Peanut Butter & Jelly 🍎 Fresh fruit and a drink. Simply stop in with your children — no purchase necessary, no questions asked. Because this situation is complicated, but feeding a hungry child isn’t.” 2001 Piazza Ave., Suite 100, Wesley Chapel
Mamma Mia Pizzeria Over the first weekend of the SNAP shutdown, the Port Richey spot said it served over $700 in free pie to neighbors. More free food is available at select times, along with non-perishable items in the lobby. Those in need should bring EBT card with matching ID for a free large cheese pizza. “One pizza, per EBT card, per day. EBT card recipient must be present to receive. “Those who want to pitch in can bring non-perishable food and snacks and/or donate to the shop’s “Pizza Cause.” 8639 Regency Park Blvd., Port Richey
Oak & Smoke Two free kids meals for those 12 and under, with the purchase of one adult entree. Kids must be present to redeem. “Until benefits resume, we’re stepping up to make sure every kid still gets a good meal, made with love and legacy. How to Redeem: Just mention ‘”‘Oak & Smoke Cares'”‘ when ordering and bring the kids along!” 2702 E Busch Blvd., Tampa
Orange Blossom Reviving a similar pandemic era offer, Orange Blossom offers a free kids meal, no questions asked. “We’ll continue this program for as long as needed,” the restaurant added. 101 Multrees Xing No. 101, Dunedin
Orange Cycle Creamery Bag lunches are awesome, but this Tarpon Springs spots is giving out a free junior cup or cone to “those affected by the SNAP/EBT pause. No purchase necessary and no questions asked.” 212 E Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs
Our Place Free bagged meals for kids affected by SNAP/EBT Pause, until the restaurant is no longer able to help. ” …stop in and ask for a ‘”‘WeCareBag'”‘ and receive a free to go bagged lunch for as many children as are present with you, choice of Turkey Sandwich with a side or grilled cheese with a side ,every single day until SNAP benefits are reinstated. No purchase necessary, no questions asked.” 101 South Missouri Ave., Clearwater
Parlor House Bistro Starting Nov. 1, the restaurant offers free bagged lunch for any child in need of a meal (choose between chicken tenders or ham and cheese sliders, plus banana, juice box and treat). “Just show up with your kiddo, ask for your ‘Parlor Bag’ and a free lunch will be given. No questions. No reservations needed. Just a free meal for a child in need,” the restaurant added. 1757 Main St., Dunedin
Pia’s Trattoria Starting Nov. 1, the Gulfport staple offers a “Shutdown-To-Go-Special” no questions asked. The free meal is pasta pomodoro, bread and salad, available Wednesday-Sunday, during a one-hour pickup window of 5 p.m.-6 p.m. 3054 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport
Pisces Sushi and Global Bistro “No questions asked. One meal for every child with you from noon – 6:30 pm.” Starts Nov. 1, until SNAP benefits are restored, visit or call the restaurant (727-216-6764) as daily offerings may vary. 799 Highland Ave., Dunedin
Skipper’s Smokehouse “Starting on November 1st, we will have a couple of things going to assist with the situation at hand.🍴Kids Eat Free – all day, every single day Thursday through Sunday until SNAP benefits are restored. Dine in, only. If you are having trouble feeding the kiddos, bring them in, sit down and we will feed them for you from our kids menu. Sorry, no takeout options available. No purchase necessary. One meal per child. We strongly believe that no kid should ever go to bed hungry.” 910 Skipper Rd., Tampa
Taco Bus Kids eat free, no purchase neccesary. “In-store dining only, no purchase necessary. Child must be present with an adult at the time. Available everyday until benefits are restored.” Multiple locations
Thee Liberty Grill “Starting , November 1st stop by and ask for a “Care Bag,” one for every child with you. Each includes a grilled cheese or chicken tenders , a drink, and a side — free for any child whose family is affected by the SNAP pause. No purchase necessary, no questions asked — just a meal if your little ones are hungry. We’ll continue offering these meals for as long as we’re able…” 1185 N Hercules Ave,, Clearwater
Tommy’s Hideaway Kids eat free (pizza or kid’s pasta), no questions asked, from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. daily. 121 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport
Viva Napoli In an email, owners said, “Any family eligible for SNAP benefits that can show valid documentation gets food items on our kids menu for free during the affected period.” 4301 El Prado Blvd. Tampa
The Violet Stone Starting Nov. 1, this popular pizza and Philly cheesesteak spot offers a “shutdown special” available via call-or-walk-in to pick up between 4 p.m.-5 p.m. daily. “…we are going to offer a free meal to families in need,” the shop added. 2607 MLK St. N, St. Petersburg
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This article appears in Oct. 30 – Nov. 5, 2025.