Tampa Bay restaurants offering free meals for kids as Florida faces SNAP benefit disruption

Several Tampa Bay restaurants are stepping up to support families after news that millions of Floridians could soon lose access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Pia’s Trattoria in Gulfport

Pia’s Trattoria (3054 Beach Blvd S) in Gulfport is offering free meals for families: Pasta Pomodori, bread and salad. Just come to the hostess stand at the Veranada Wednesday through Sunday, between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., and order the Shutdown to Go Special.” No questions asked. 

Gigglewaters in Safety Harbor

Gigglewaters, a popular restaurant, bar, and screening room in Safety Harbor, announced plans to provide free lunches for children in need. Starting November 1, families can visit Gigglewaters (737 Main Street) and ask for a “GiggleBag.” Each bag includes a simple to-go meal — one for every child, no purchase necessary. The restaurant says it will continue the program “until SNAP is back” in Florida.

In a post on Facebook, the owners wrote, “We can’t fix everything. But we can offer a meal.”

Orange Cycle Creamery in Tarpon Springs

Orange Cycle Creamery (212 E Tarpon Ave) in Tarpon Springs is giving out free junior cups and cones to those affected by the SNAP/EBT pause. No purchase necessary and no questions asked. They will continue this as long as necessary. 

Jack and Willie’s Tiki Bar in Oldsmar

Inspired by Gigglewaters’ example, Jack and Willie’s Bar Grill and Tiki (1013 Saint Petersburg Drive W, Oldsmar) announced it will also provide free kids’ meals to-go for as long as the SNAP shutdown continues. Families can request a “Jack’s Bag” for any child in need, no purchase required.

Chicken Salad Chick in Bradenton

The movement is spreading beyond Pinellas County. Chicken Salad Chick (5434 Lockwood Ridge Road, Bradenton)is offering free kids’ meals for children 12 and under, dine-in only, with no purchase necessary. The restaurant emphasized its commitment to community, stating, “Together, we can make a difference.”

These small acts of generosity are making a big impact during a challenging time for Florida families.

The Living Room in Dunedin and Wesley Chapel

The Living Room (Wiregrass and Dunedin locations) is offering free bagged lunches to children whose families are affected by the SNAP/EBT pause. Each lunch includes a turkey & cheese or sunflower butter & jelly sandwich, fresh fruit, and a drink.

Wiregrass: 2001 Piazza Ave Suite 100, Wesley Chapel
Dunedin:  487 Main St, Dunedin

The Peach Cobbler Factory in Bradenton

The Peach Cobbler Factory in Bradenton (629 Cortez Road West) is hoping to help kids in need. Here’s what they’re offering November 1-2:

What’s included:

• One savory cobbler entrée (Chicken, Italian, or Turkey)
• One kid-sized cookie
• One beverage (Water or Hot Chocolate)

Eligibility: Any child visiting the Bradenton location this weekend

Limit: One combo per child per day

Requirements: Children must be present; dine-in only; no purchase necessary

Fusion Street Eatery in Dunedin

Fusion Street Eatery (422 Patricia Avenue) will be launching Free Kids’ Meals for those in need. “If you’ve been with us since the beginning, it will be the same as we did during COVID — no questions asked, just a meal for your little ones when you need it.”

Black Radish in Tampa

Free store for the people. Black Radish Bodega (2923 N 12th St) in Tampa will open November 8 and 9 to provide food and supplies for community members who need it. Here’s the full Instagram post:

“We WILL be accepting donations of gently used or new shoes, backpacks, jackets/sweaters, socks! Who knows where we can get some produce donations?? Or deals? Thank u so much everyone excited to help out the community. WE’RE ALL WE’VE GOT”

Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa

Starting on November 1st, Skipper’s (910 Skipper Road) 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.

Non-Perishable Food Drive: Skipper’s has partnered with Feeding Tampa Bay, a local non-profit supplying our community with food supplies as needed. If you are able, please consider bringing any spare items that you can and drop in Skipper’s boxes that will be set up for collection. They will continue this food drive until SNAP benefits are restored.

Skipper’s opens at 12 p.m. daily, Thursday through Sunday.

“We are here for our community in whatever way we are able to help. These ways seemed like the most efficient means to offer assistance immediately.”

I Love the Burg will continue to update this story as more local restaurants and cafes announce similar initiatives.

St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch announced that his administration has directed a $20,000 donation to the St. Pete Free Clinic in anticipation of the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on November 1.