• Give Back This School Year - Volunteer With Food For Thought!

    The 2016-2017 school year is quickly upon us and Food For Thought is expanding its services to reach 1,500 students in 18 different schools across Walton and Okaloosa Counties.  With the addition of 3 schools and 300 students, Food For Thought's volunteer needs have also grown.  
    Please join us at one of our 30 minute volunteer outreach meetings listed below to find out more information on Food For Thought and how you can help this school year.  The 30 minute session will include a question and answer period along with new volunteer paperwork.  Once you are registered, Food For Thought will schedule you to train with one of our seasoned volunteers in your area of interest.   We love working with families, corporate groups and church groups!
    Volunteer Outreach Meetings
    August 16th @ 8:30a and 5:30p 
    132 Market St, SRB
    August 17th @ 8:30a and 5:30p
    908 Airport Rd, Destin 
    September 7th @ 7:15a
    Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce 
    Schools receiving services during the 2016-2017 school year 

     Walton County

    Van R Butler Elementary
    Bay Elementary
    Emerald Coast Middle School
    Walton Middle School
    Walton Academy
    Freeport High School
    Seaside Neighborhood School
    Seacoast Collegiate High School
    Walton High School
    Maude Saunders Elementary School
    South Walton High School

    Okaloosa County

    Destin Elementary
    Edge Elementary
    Northwest Florida Ballet Academy
    Destiny Middle School
    Florosa Elementary
    Elliott Point Elementary
    Kenwood Elementary
    AMI Kids
    Burner Middle School

     

     

    Volunteer Needs
    • Backpack packing
    • Backpack delivery to the schools
    • Food pick up from varying grocery stores
    • Pantry organization
    • Fundraising
    • Special events

    Please contact Carly@fftfl.org for additional information or if you have any questions.

    Posted by Sarah Schmidt
  • Save The Date For 3rd Annual Stock The Pantry Party

     

     July 21, 2016

    Santa Rosa Beach, FL

     

    SAVE THE DATE FOR 3RD ANNUAL STOCK THE PANTRY PARTY

    Back-to-School Food Drive Kicks Off 2016-2017 School Year

     

    The 3rd Annual Stock the Pantry Party will take place on Thursday, August 25th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Food For Thought Santa Rosa Beach Pantry at 132 Market Street off Hwy 393 North. Food For Thought’s Stock the Pantry Party is a family-friendly event focused on raising funds and food items to fight local food insecurity. By joining the Stock the Pantry Party, guests are helping local students in need.

     Food For Thought Outreach has rapidly grown over the last six years, growing from providing backpacks of healthy, easy to prepare food items to six students a week in 2010, to serving over 1,200 students during the 2015-2016 school year with over 1,000,000 food items distributed to children in need in both Okaloosa and Walton counties. This summer, Food For Thought distributed over 800 bags of food to local families in need, add in serving an anticipated 1,500 students a week this upcoming school year, and their pantry shelves will be bare all too soon.

     With a growing number of students in need and a rapid increase in providing food over summer break, a nearly empty warehouse is all that is left before the beginning of the school year.

     Tiffanie Nelson, founder and Executive Director, has found a way to restock her organization’s supplies in time for the fast approaching school year while bringing the community together in a family-friendly environment. The event was such a success in its first year that the organization has continued the annual fundraiser and loves the annual food drive competition.

     This year 15 area schools, businesses, and churches will compete to collect the most food for Food For Thought Outreach services. Last year, Ohana Institute took first place by a landslide with over 11,300 items. Sandestin Real Estate and Wells Fargo had a tight race for second with Sandestin Real Estate ultimately taking second with 2,931 food items, and Wells Fargo with 2,372 food items.

     There are three categories for donations. Food Drive Sponsors will be competing against one another to see who can collect the most food items. Food For Thought expects this year to be another spirited competition and awards will be given for First, Second, and Third place. For those businesses who may not be able to collect over 200 items to enter the Food Drive competition, Business Backpack Sponsorships will also be available. This year, Food For Thought is also adding a Personal Backpack Sponsorship category for individuals and families that would like to donate directly. A $500 donation is requested and the individual, group, or business will be recognized at the event.

     Guests are asked to bring 5 food items (suggested items include plastic jars of peanut butter, plastic jars of jelly, granola bars, fruit cups, snack crackers, and/or breakfast bars) or $5 for entry into the event.

     “Last year, the friendly competition from the Food Drive Sponsors and record breaking amount of Backpack Sponsors helped collect over 33,000 food items and $9,400 in sponsorships and donations to kick off the year. We expect to see all our Sponsors to continue to challenge themselves in their collection efforts.,” says Nelson. “We hope to collect enough food items and donations to serve students for at least 6 weeks which is about 90,000 food items. We know our community is up to the challenge!”

     The event will feature the Mellow Mushroom Bake Bus, treats from Pop Stop, drinks from Grayton Beer Company, new Food For Thought t-shirts, a raffle with great prizes, and fun activities for the entire family!

     Contact Tiffanie Nelson at info@fftfl.org if you are interested in one of the remaining sponsorship opportunities for the 3rd Annual Stock the Pantry Party or visit www.fftfl.org for more information.

     

    Posted by Sarah Schmidt