News » Community Support
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Backpack Program- How it Works!
Our backpack program has been an integral part of Food For Thought since the beginning. It takes time, effort and countless volunteers to cover each step of the backpack program to ensure that 3,000 kids in Okaloosa and Walton counties receive their backpack.
Food insecure children leave school for the weekend knowing that their next meal isn't guaranteed until the next school day. That means nearly 7 meals are missed before they return to school on Monday expected to show up ready to engage with their peers and learn from their teachers. The backpack program alleviates the stress on a hungry children providing a sense of security knowing food is going home with them for the weekend. We are dedicated to empowering children to get the most out of their education and help them develop along with their peers.
Every day of the week has set tasks that are necessary to complete to get the backpacks from FFT to the students!
Monday & Tuesday- Volunteers help the FFT staff count and sort backpacks in the Destin and Santa Rosa Beach pantries. Inventory is taken of food to set up the packing assembly line.
Wednesday- Volunteer groups pack over 1,600 backpacks in the Destin pantry to be distributed to the Okaloosa county schools on Thursday.
Thursday- Volunteers load up the FFT vans, Norma and Betty, or their vehicle to distribute backpacks to Okaloosa schools. The Santa Rosa Beach pantry is busy with volunteer groups packing over 1,200 bags to be distributed to Walton county schools on Friday.
Friday- Volunteers load up Norma and Betty or their vehicle to distribute backpacks to Walton county schools. By Friday afternoon 3,000 backpacks have been delivered to 32 schools to ensure kids don't go hungry through the weekend.
Our mission to fight child hunger is supported by dedicated volunteers and donors. If you're interested in getting involved with the backpack program check out our website for more information or contact us at volunteer@fftfl.org
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Join us for Volunteer Outreach
132 Market Street, Santa Rosa Beach:August 16th 8:30aSeptember 13th at 4:30- 6p
908 Airport Road, Destin:August 17th 8:30aAugust 28th at 4:30- 6pWe are looking to add new volunteers to our organization! Join us at our volunteer outreach sessions to learn about the various volunteer opportunities! We will be set up to answer new volunteer questions, fill out volunteer paperwork and schedule training shifts.Current volunteers are encouraged to attend to learn new details about volunteer opportunities, give scheduling updates and get started with the new school year schedule. If you have any questions please contact us volunteer@fftfl.org.
We look forward to working with you all in the 2018-2019 school year! #YouCanHelp
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Meet our 2018-19 Board of Directors at FFT
Tiffanie Nelson- Chairman & Founder of FFT
Meet the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Founder of Food For Thought Outreach, Tiffanie Nelson. Tiffanie started Food For Thought 2010 after learning that students in her own children's school were hungry and missing meals when they were away from school-provided meals. What began as a project that Tiffanie and her children did at home, helping 6 kids per week, grew into the organization that is Food For Thought Outreach, and Tiffanie began working full-time at FFT in 2014 as the Executive Director. Currently, she lives in Santa Rosa Beach with her 3 children and husband, Darren Nelson. Tiffanie is dedicated to the growth and sustainability of the programs at FFT to ensure our organization is here to support children in need for years to come.Hilary Farnum Fasth- Vice Chairman
Meet the Vice Chairman of Food For Thought Outreach, Hilary Farnum Fasth. Hilary is the owner and broker of Beachy Beach 30a real estate. She has worked in the real estate profession for over 20 years along the Emerald Coast and loves helping find their perfect beach home. She lives here with her two children, Faith and Ben and husband Christoffer. Hilary is passionate about helping to stop the cycle of poverty in our community for generations to come by helping these children at a young age, and she serves Food for Thought because she wants to personally and professionally give back to the community where she lives and works.Penny Jackson- Secretary
Meet the Secretary of Food For Thought Outreach, Penny Jackson. Penny grew up in Alabama and is a graduate of Auburn University. She truly believes there is no better place to live than the Emerald Coast and has called it her home for almost 20 years. She is a Realtor with Scenic Sotheby's and currently lives in Sandestin with her husband, Judd, and two sons. As a firm believer in community engagement, she has served on the Board of Directors of Food For Thought for the past 5 years. She loves the fact that Food For Thought serves children in our own backyard and enables volunteers of any age to contribute.Tania Koehler- Treasurer
Meet the Treasurer of Food For Thought Outreach, Tania Koehler. Born and raised in Ecuador, Tania came to the United States at 21 years of age to study Hospitality and graduated from the University of New Orleans with a degree in Hospitality Management. Tania is currently the Director of Hotels for all of Howard Hospitality. Tania currently resides in Santa Rosa Beach with her husband, Tim, and their two children Alexander and Ariana. She has been a part of FFT for 4 years and has a heart for Food for Thought because she wants to ensure that the kids of the future have an opportunity to be great.Jacob Watkins- Board Member
Meet Jacob Watkins, who has served on the Food For Thought Outreach Board of Directors since 2015. Jacob grew up in Fairhope, Alabama, graduated from Auburn University, and moved to the area from Atlanta after spending 3 years with Ernst & Young as a financial performance improvement consultant. Jacob is now a Managing Partner at Rent Gear Here as well as a licensed Florida Realtor with Mainsail Realty Company. Jacob and his wife, Devan, enjoy boating, fishing, spending time on the beach, and Auburn football. Jacob chooses to spend his time serving Food for Thought because of the impact the organization is making on the future of our community.Leah Hayes- Board Member
Meet Leah Hayes, who has served on the Food For Thought Outreach Board of Directors for the past year. Leah Broussard Hayes graduated in business management from Tulane University in 1999 and the University of Georgia School of Law in 2002. She is a member of the bar and licensed in all state and federal courts in Louisiana and Mississippi and was engaged in insurance defense practice until recently relocating with her family to the Emerald Coast. Currently she is focusing on engaging in non-profit work while supporting her husband’s medical practice and raising their three daughters. Leah was drawn to Food for Thought after personally witnessing food shortages among her daughter’s classmates and learning of the stellar program Food For Thought had already put into place to fill this void. -
In for 10 - You can be in! #BacktoSchool
Are you #Infor10? We're asking for 500 people or organizations to be In for 10, meaning they are 'in' for donating 10 items.
We will be at the First Friday Breakfast with the Fort Walton Beach Chamber on August 3rd with backpacks. Pick one up at the FWB Chamber or in Destin on TUES/WED this August. Fill the bags with 10 FFT Food Items and return to the FFT Pantry or FWB Chamber Office by SEPT 1.
Email support@fftfl.org for more information
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Ready..Set..Stock The Pantry!!
It's that time of year again...Back to School! And we need YOU to help us Stock the Pantry! Join us on August 23rd at our Santa Rosa Beach Pantry for the most fun (and competitive) fundraiser of the year. Come cheer on your team, or just show up for the party. $5 cash donation or 5 food items gets you in the door, and refreshments will be provided by The Village Door, Grayton Beer Company and Ben & Jerry's! You don't want to miss this fun chance to help us Stock the Pantry!
