Bengals and Fifth Third Will Launch Hunger Campaign

The Huddle for Hunger program will deliver food to students across 20 Cincinnati schools this November.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Philanthropy

Cardboard crates filled with food supplies sitting on a wooden pallet in a clean, brightly lit community warehouse. — The Cincinnati Bengals and Fifth Third Bank are partnering with the Freestore Foodbank to launch a hunger relief campaign serving 20 Cincinnati schools beginning in November 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Cincinnati Bengals and Fifth Third Bank will launch the Huddle for Hunger campaign in November 2026. This initiative aims to provide essential nutrition to local students throughout the month.

Why it matters

The program is designed to combat food insecurity among children by ensuring they have access to consistent meals during the weekends. It addresses the challenge of food access for students outside of standard school hours.

The Huddle for Hunger campaign will support 20 schools in Cincinnati, providing each student with a power pack containing over 12 shelf-stable food items.

The players

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional American football team that plays in the National Football League.

Fifth Third Bank

Fifth Third Bank is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Freestore Foodbank

The Freestore Foodbank is one of the largest food banks in the United States and serves the Greater Cincinnati area.

The details

The Freestore Foodbank will manage the distribution of these power packs to students every Friday. Thousands of packs containing a variety of items are being prepared to ensure children have food over the weekends.

The Huddle for Hunger campaign will run throughout November 2026.

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Market Landscape

This partnership mirrors the Feeding America weekend backpack program model, highlighting a broader shift toward corporate-nonprofit alliances aimed at addressing student food insecurity. These collaborations increasingly position regional corporations as essential pillars in local social safety nets.

Local families with children attending the participating schools can expect to receive food assistance on Fridays during November. This initiative helps reduce household food costs and ensures students have access to essential nutrition when school is not in session.

The takeaway

Food insecurity remains a significant challenge for many families, especially during times when school-provided meals are unavailable. Supporting local distribution programs can significantly stabilize the dietary health of children in the community.