Food For Thought Outreach will host its 11th Annual Stock the Pantry Party on August 28th, 2024. During this event, teams will participate in a friendly competition to collect food and funds, which will help stock the organization's pantry locations and launch the new school year services. The competition will include returning and rookie categories for both food and funds. Last year, this event raised over 86,000 food items and $45,000. This year, the organization aims to increase these results by 20% to meet the growing demand for our services. The event will take place at the Santa Rosa Beach pantry, and the food and funds collected will support the organization's programs in both Walton and Okaloosa Counties.

The event typically draws 150-200 local community members who support the organization through volunteer work and donations. Teams are encouraged to attend the event to interact with the organization, and guests, and participate in awards ceremonies.

For more information or to register your team, please email support@fftfl.org

Save the Date

 Stock the Pantry Party August 28th

THE ST. JOE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANTS OVER $55K TO FOOD FOR THOUGHT OUTREACH THROUGH “READ TO FEED” PROGRAM

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL—The St. Joe Community Foundation (“Foundation”) is excited to
announce that in the third year of its “Read to Feed” program, Walton County elementary students raised
$55,111.50 for the local non-profit organization Food For Thought Outreach (“FFT”). The Foundation’s
Read to Feed initiative grants $0.25 to FFT for each Accelerated Reader (“AR”) test with a score of 80%
and above completed by Walton County School District elementary students. Food For Thought Outreach
will use the funds to support its programs, providing critical access to food to Walton County students in
need through its year-round services.
In the 2023-2024 school year, Walton County elementary students successfully scored above 80% on
220,445 AR tests to set $55,111 as the Foundation’s contribution to FFT, surpassing results from the
2022-2023 school year of 217,250 AR tests which provided $54,313 to the organization.
Representatives from the Foundation presented a check for the full amount to FFT at the regular meeting
of the Walton County School Board on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
“We are excited to see how the Walton County elementary students continue to accept the Read to Feed
challenge in order to support their friends and classmates,” said The St. Joe Community Foundation
Executive Director April Wilkes. “This program not only supports Food For Thought Outreach in their
mission, but it also simultaneously encourages reading and scholastic achievement. We are proud to be a
part of the program.”

Read the full release here:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0661/9927/files/SJCF_and_FFT_Read_to_Feed_PR_FINAL.docx?v=1717036009

On Thursday, May 9th, more than 100 golfers gathered at the Emerald Bay Golf Club for the inaugural Food Fore Thought Classic. The event, created in partnership with the Premier Property Group, provided an opportunity to honor the life and legacy of Jon Kazek. The tournament was opened by Board Member Garret McNeil, who introduced Sheriff Adkinson and Anne Kazek. Sheriff Adkinson and Anne shared remarks about Jon Kazek's generosity and love for the community. To honor Jon’s legacy and support the work of Food For Thought Outreach, the tournament exceeded its goals, raising over $100,000!
Thank you to the Emerald Bay Golf Club for hosting the event and all the sponsors, players, and volunteers who came together to impact our community.