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FALL 2026

WE FEED

North Central Florida

DEAR FRIENDS

At Bread of the Mighty, we have always believed that our community is strongest when we care for one another.

increased our capacity to respond when families need help most, and positioned Bread of the Mighty to grow its impact for years to come.

That belief matters especially in seasons of uncertainty. When circumstances change unexpectedly, families across our region need to know there is somewhere they can turn. Because of you, Bread of the Mighty continues to be that steady source of food, hope, and support for our neighbors.

That same spirit will carry this work forward.

This season also brings change for us personally. Patrick will soon begin a new chapter after more than three years leading Bread of the Mighty. As we prepare for this transition, we find ourselves reflecting with tremendous gratitude on what this community has accomplished together. As Patrick reflected in his farewell message, when he first walked through the doors at Bread of the Mighty, he thought he was joining a food bank. What he discovered was something much bigger: people who believe every neighbor deserves dignity, that no one solves hunger alone, and that communities are strongest when we care for one another. That spirit has been at the heart of his leadership and is one we know will continue to guide this work. Over the past several years, Bread of the Mighty has grown stronger, reached more families, and expanded what is possible through our partnership with Feeding Northeast Florida. Bringing our organizations together was rooted in a simple belief: we can accomplish more together than we ever could alone. As Patrick shared, that partnership has expanded access to resources, 2

The faces of leadership may change, but the heart of Bread of the Mighty remains the same. It lives in the volunteers who show up, the donors who give generously, the partners who serve their communities, and the people who believe every neighbor deserves access to nutritious food and the dignity that comes with it. As we enter the final months of the year, thank you for standing with Bread of the Mighty and with the neighbors who depend on us. Whatever the months ahead may bring, this community will continue to show up for one another. Patrick, thank you for your service and leadership, and for the privilege and pleasure of working alongside you during your time as Executive Director of Bread of the Mighty. We are grateful for all you have contributed to this community and wish you every success and happiness in this next chapter. As you begin this new chapter, we look forward to seeing the continued impact of the work we have built together and the difference Bread of the Mighty will continue to make for our neighbors.

Patrick Dodds, Executive Director Bread of the Mighty

Susan King, President & CEO Feeding Northeast Florida

back into th community From rescuing produce from regional grocery stores to partnering with local producers, Bread of the Mighty, a branch of Feeding Northeast Florida, makes sure no food goes to waste in our community. Every year, we redirect millions of pounds of food to families that would otherwise end up in landfills. Our ongoing partnerships with Florida farmers help close a gap during their off seasons when schools are closed, while providing high-quality food to neighbors. Since teaming up with M&B Products in 2025, we have received more than 670,000 pounds of fresh milk that’s been distributed back into the community. The dairy and packing company in Citrus County was founded by Dale McClellan in 1987. The business was built to be sustainable, innovative, and community-focused with multiple generations of family members still deeply rooted in the operation. For decades, M&B supplied juice, and later milk, to schools, hospitals, and other institutional feeding programs. During COVID-19 and seasonal school closures, the dairy farm saw a

troubling gap in the food system. Milk was being dumped while families faced supply shortages.

That changed through partnerships with Feeding Florida and local food banks, like Bread of the Mighty. With state funding support, dozens of tankers of surplus milk have been rescued, farmers are getting paid fairly, and fresh milk gets delivered to families who need it most. Andrea McClellan, General Manager at M&B Products, says “We’re completing a whole circle. We are not just giving milk to food banks and to those who need it. We are completing a meal.” The whole process supports a long-term future for producers as well. Andrea says, “Your food bank is directly responsible for helping farmers have a larger check to be able to continue their family businesses, which is instrumental to keeping those agricultural industries here.” And for families, the impact can be as simple as having milk to go with cereal. For Bread of the Mighty, it’s about completing the meal and strengthening Florida’s local food system -- one gallon at a time.

BREAKING DOWN HUNGER across our region Year after year, Bread of the Mighty sees increasing food insecurity rates across the four counties we serve with tens of thousands of neighbors unsure where their next meal will come from. While numbers fluctuate, one thing that remains the same is the long lines at our food distributions. Helping paint a clearer image of the impact, Feeding America released its annual Map the Meal Gap survey to break down what hunger looks like in our region. Learn more about Map the Meal Gap by scanning the QR code or visiting: map.feedingamerica.org

Feeding America. (2026). Map the Meal Gap 2026. https://www.feedingamerica.org/sites/default/files/2026-08/Map%20 the%20Meal%20Gap%202026%20Report.pdf 1

Bread of the Mighty

UNION

ALACHUA

people experiencing food insecurity in our region

LEVY

face the highest rates of local food insecurity People experiencing food insecurity by county1 County

Overall

Alachua

45,120

Children Cost per Meal: $4.20 10,360

Gilchrist

2,740

820

$3.61

Levy

7,650

2,110

$3.61

Union

2,560

820

$3.53

Increases from 2023 to 2024 data using the Map the Meal Gap 2026 report

children experiencing food insecurity in our region

w ar th

SOLUTION Hunger statistics are not stagnant, long-standing numbers. They fluctuate with every change in inflation, federal food assistance programs, and local economic impacts. Regardless of these changes, we must be a stable and reliable source of supplemental assistance for our community members who struggle to get enough nutritious food on the table every night.

Bread of the Mighty is working to close an annual gap of more than 11 million1 meals missing across

our region. To close the local hunger gap in our communities, it would cost more than $44 million1. The rising demand continues to enforce the critical role that our food bank plays in the region, and we need your help.

It’s through our donors, agency partners, and volunteers that help us ensure that our neighbors have access to the food and tools they need to thrive. Food is more than a meal. It’s a catalyst to strengthen lives and communities.

w tak action

TOGETHER September is a month dedicated to raising awareness of food insecurity across North Central Florida. This Hunger Action Month, we are asking the community to stand together to help fight hunger. We feed thousands of families, children, seniors, veterans, and neighbors every day. It’s only made possible through the generosity of our community. One way you can make a difference is by following our Hunger Action Month calendar. It will serve as a guide to highlight the 30 ways you can show up for your community over the coming weeks. We all need help sometimes. You can play a vital role by letting your loved ones and neighbors know it’s okay to ask for help and sharing where they can find support.

Bread of the Mighty

With your help, we can meet neighbors where they are.

Take action throughout September – together, we can ensure no one faces hunger alone. How You Can Take Action Today Give your time by signing up for a volunteer shift. Every hour you give moves food into the hands of a neighbor who needs it. Give your resources. Every dollar donated to Bread of the Mighty helps provide meals to people experiencing food insecurity in our region. Get involved today by scanning the QR code or visiting: Breadofthemighty.org/Hunger-Action-Month

HUNGER ACTION MONTH 30 WAYS IN 30 DAYS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST HUNGER

SEPTEMBER 2026

Hang this calendar in your home or office to help spread awareness.

Donate to help us reach our $10,000 match goal.

Hunger Fact Friday Did you know we serve 4 counties in North Central Florida?

Talk about food insecurity with your friends and family.

Schedule a volunteer shift at one of our food distributions.

Set an extra place at the table for the more than 40,000 people in our region who don’t know where their next meal is coming from.

National Food Bank Day

Minimize waste by cooking a delicious meal with scraps or leftovers.

Labor Day Host a BBQ and invite guests to bring a donation for Bread of the Mighty.

Visit our website to get a first-hand look at how we work.

Schedule a tour at Bread of the Mighty.

Thank your local grocery store manager for donating food to the food bank.

Make a donation in their honor to support senior feeding programs.

Visit our website to look for upcoming events to support the food bank.

Encourage your book club or community group to donate or volunteer at BOTM.

Host a virtual food drive.

Donate the money you would spend on morning coffee to the food bank.

Hunger Fact Friday BOTM distributed more than 7.4 million pounds of food last year.

Social Media Sunday Tag us in a photo to show how you are taking action this month.

As you head to the grocery store, consider picking up extra items to donate.

Check out our new merch on our website. You can order online and pick-up items at the food bank.

Encourage co-workers to pack their lunch and donate the money saved to help feed kids during the school year.

SNAP Challenge

Schedule a volunteer shift with a friend.

Hunger Fact Friday BOTM partners with more than 100 hunger -fighting agencies to reach more neighbors.

Grandparents Day

Plant your own at home garden.

Hunger Action Day is tomorrow!

Impact will be MATCHED if we reach $10,000.

Hunger Action Day Wear ORANGE and tag us in a photo on social media.

Visit our website to learn how you can fight hunger year-round.

National Day of Service

Try to spend no more than $6.20 per person on food for the entire day.

Thanks to the generosity of Poppy and Rob Clements for our $10,000 match! Bread of the Mighty

GATOR NATION driving community chang Bread of the Mighty is a strong force in the fight against hunger thanks to the community that surrounds it. The food bank’s support comes in many forms. It looks like a college student sorting through boxes on the volunteer floor, a University of Florida football player lifting boxes at a mobile distribution, or a professor bringing his class to raise awareness of food insecurity. Bread of the Mighty is strengthening bonds between students, families, and local partners. Because hunger ends where community begins. Striking Out Hunger Our community partners are always ready to step up to the plate to ensure food gets to the people who need it. This past baseball season, we teamed up with Campus USA Credit Union and the Florida Harry Bishop, Club President

Gators baseball and softball teams to launch “Strikeout for Hunger.” During the campaign, CAMPUS USA donated to our food bank every time a player on the opposing team struck out. By the end of the season, we raised enough money to provide more than 133,000 meals to families experiencing food insecurity. Partnerships like this are how Bread of the Mighty can get more food to more neighbors across North Central Florida. Cans Across Campus Back in February, we joined forces with UF Bread of the Mighty, a student-run club working to fight food insecurity in Gainesville, and nearly a dozen sponsors to organize our annual Cans Across Campus 5K. About 130 runners lined up at Flavet Field with the impact of the race continuing well after they crossed the finish line.With the help of our partners, and more than 30 volunteers, we raised enough money to distribute more than 23,000 meals to neighbors. “It’s awesome to see how students can unite to create an impact in both the University of Florida and Gainesville community. I can’t wait to see what’s next,” said Harry Bishop, Club President and Event Organizer. You can support our mission by joining next year’s Cans Across Campus 5K or visiting our website to look at other ways to get involved. Because when our community shows up, we’re reminded that the fight against hunger doesn’t happen alone. Sign-up to stay informed about the annual Cans Across Campus 5K: Breadofthemighty.org/5K

FIGHTING HUNGER on shift at a tim

A two-hour volunteer shift at Bread of the Mighty can feed thousands of neighbors experiencing food insecurity. This doesn’t account for the immeasurable influence volunteering has on the people who serve. Dr. Xumin Zhang, an instructional associate professor for the University of Florida’s Department of Food and Resource and adjunct professor at Santa Fe College, knows firsthand the staggering impact two hours can have on both the people being fed and the people doing the feeding.

Since his first shift, Dr. Zhang has helped feed more than 72,000 people. He began volunteering in 2022 with his class, “How Do We End Poverty?” to get students into the community by giving their time to Bread of the Mighty. Inspired to provide experiential learning opportunities and encourage awareness around poverty in the community, Dr. Zhang brings his classes to the food bank so students can directly benefit the town where they attend school. Students often share at the end of the term how much they value both his teaching and their volunteer experience at Bread of the Mighty. Zhang first came to the United States more than two decades ago to study at the University of

Florida before returning to China. When he later came back to pursue his PhD, he decided to stay and begin his teaching career. He says his connection to Bread of the Mighty only strengthened that decision. Now, Gainesville feels like home. “I’m part of Gainesville now.” Over the years, Zhang has watched Bread of the Mighty’s volunteer program grow and is always willing to say yes when it comes to the food bank. “We as volunteers know we can contribute, no matter how small. This is the place. I want to keep inviting students so they know this is something they can do.”

A SMALL THING CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE DR. XUMIN ZHANG Get involved today by scanning the QR code or visiting: Breadofthemighty.org/get-involved 9

HOW OUR FOOD BANK WORKS

Bread of the Mighty distributes millions of pounds of food to serve more than 120 agency partners and feeding programs across North Central Florida every year. However, the journey of getting nutritious meals to neighbors experiencing food insecurity starts way before the produce even enters our warehouse. It also doesn’t end once it leaves our building. To show you how our food bank works, we are introducing Rabe the Broccoli to lead us on the adventure it takes to get food into the hands of people who need it most. To learn about how the food bank works scan the QR code or go to: Breadofthemighty.org/how-we-work

Bread of the Mighty

SHOPwith purpos MERCHANDISE THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE Every purchase helps amplify our fight against hunger by building visibility, sparking conversations, and strengthening community support year-round. New gear, new looks — shop and support the mission with every purchase.

Breadofthemighty.org/shop

Bread of the Mighty

Bread of the Mighty 325 NW 10th Ave Gainesville, FL 32601

WAYS TO GIVE BREADOFTHEMIGHTY.ORG/NEWSLETTER-SUPPORT

DONATE ONLINE Every $1 you give results in enough food for 6 nutritious meals. MONTHLY GIVING Set up a recurring gift online to ensure we can keep feeding our neighbors year-round. FUND DRIVES Host a virtual food drive that provides a fun and efficient way for participants to combat hunger. GIFTS OF STOCK Give and get more through stock donations— your gift is tax-deductible and incurs no capital gains tax. IRA DISTRIBUTIONS Make a difference today and save on your taxes when you support Bread of the Mighty through your IRA. EMPLOYEE GIVING Consider listing Bread of the Mighty as a charity of choice, or request your employer match gifts donated. BEQUESTS Making a gift through your will or revocable living trust is a simple and flexible way to provide access to food and support your community for years to come.