Feeding Empty Little Tummies – Providing meals to children on weekends, when they need tit most.

As long as child hunger persists, none of us can truly rest

Manatee County’s Original Backpack Program is designed to help end child hunger.

We Believe in Change!

Feeding Empty Little Tummies is dedicated to feeding Manatee County’s most needy – homeless and food insecure students. One backpack at a time!

01. Our Mission

To pack and deliver meals for food deprived children in our community.

02. Our Vision

To eliminate hunger and meet the nutritional needs of the children in our community.

03. Our Values

Passion. Integrity. Commitment. Love.

More than 11 Years Ending Child Hunger

Participating
Schools

Volunteers
Helping

Students
enrolled

Meals
served

Feeding Empty Little Tummies Needs Our Community's Support

FELT’s Food Distribution Warehouse Suffered Major Roof & Structural Damage from Hurricane Milton.

Please Help Support the Hurricane Relief and Repair Fund

OUR PROGRAMS EVENTS AND BENEFITS

SPORTING CLAY SHOOT

Set your sight with Feeding Empty Little Tummies, and join us at the second annual clay shoot at Sarasota Trap and Skeet….

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HELICOPTER BALL DROP

The Helicopter Ball Drop is a spectacular event with hundreds of golf balls that will drop from the sky to award the lucky $1000 grand prize winner.

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GOLF TOURNAMENT

Join the excitement at the 2023 MED-G Legacy Golf Club Classic as a foursome, a spectator, or a sponsor to spotlight your company as a F.E.L.T supporter….

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DOUBLE YOUR DONATION

We are grateful to be included in the 2023 Louis & Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust 1:1 matching challenge to double your donation….

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PRICELESS BENEFITS

The Priceless Benefits No Cost Merchants Giving Program provides a recurring income source to F.E.L.T., the local good cause you’re passionate about.

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DIGITAL AND CRYPTO DONATIONS

Crypto investors can double their benefit by donating cryptocurrency to F.E.L.T. Donations can minimize capital gains plus provide meals to homeless children.

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There is no exercise better for the heart
than reaching down and lifting people up

meet our advocates

Our Board, Staff and Volunteers are the heart of our operation. They work tirelessly to improve the lives of our children so they can learn and acquire the social skills to prosper and achieve a promising future.

Passionate about improving the lives of our children, and helping to end food insecurity?
Apply to join The Board

Chairman

Vice-Chairman

Treasurer

Secretary

Fundraising Chair

Board Member

Board Member

Board Member

Testimonials

I am so grateful and humbled to be a part of such an impactful organization.

When I heard about Feeding Empty Little Tummies and how they send food home on the weekends to homeless children in Manatee County, I was eager to volunteer. The board members and volunteers I work with are devoted, selfless people with the biggest hearts. Every Friday, rain or shine, the volunteers of F.E.L.T arrive with a smile on their faces and determination in their hearts, ready to pack backpacks.

Ashley French

KW On the Water

That bag might seem small but made a big difference for us.

Just wanted to thank you so much for all the effort you put in to making our kids smile with these bags of food. I honestly know how these bags help our kids. Two years ago you put a smile on my daughter’s face and on mine when we arrived from Puerto Rico and living in a truck. That bag might seem small but made a big difference for us.

Carmen Torres

W.D. Sugg Middle School

Security, Comfort and Peace of Mind

In my six years of teaching, I have seen students who have trouble focusing in class because their stomachs hurt from lack of food. I have seen students who try to sneak milk in their backpacks to give to their baby brother or sister. These students are not able to grow academically because while at school they are focusing on how their family is going to eat later that night. Learning is hard enough without any other distractions. F.E.L.T. is a wonderful organization because they provide more than just food for the weekends; they provide security, comfort, and peace of mind to a family each and every week.

Courtney Robinson

Virgil Mills Elementary

These Challenging Times

Thank you Jessica and everyone at Feeding Empty Little Tummies for all the amazing work you all have done this school year. Especially your astounding response during these challenging times with Covid-19. Our Blackburn community is in awe of all your generosity. Please enjoy a most deserved rest time. We will hopefully see you again next school year. Be safe and stay well!

Ivelisse Sánchez

Project Heart

No Child Gets Left Behind

Kim Bailey‘s dedication to F.E.L.T. and ensuring no child gets left behind is a testament to her grass roots efforts to educate our community. Feeding Empty Little Tummies is a vital resource in providing at risk children much needed nutrition to grow, learn and thrive. Our organization has been supporting the mission and vision of F.E.L.T. since 2010 and wish continued success.

Elaine Ackel Zirkelbach

Taylor Family Foundation

our partners and Sponsors

We are grateful for the support of our Partners and Sponsors that help fuel operations, events, promotions and donations. Their assistance with grants, funding, marketing, technology and support services helps F.E.L.T to improve the lives of our children