While the holidays are a time to celebrate for most, many families in our community do not know where their next meal will come from. Food insecurity affects 1 in 7 children in Okaloosa and Walton counties.

Food For Thought Outreach serves weekly backpacks of food to over 2,880 students in need every week during the school year. However, hunger doesn’t take a break.

Food For Thought served over 5,500 meals to 550 families over the Thanksgiving Break and is looking to serve another 11,000 meals this winter break.

This is a major feat in itself, not to mention the rapid and unexpected growth. Food For Thought serves 2,886 students across their programs which is 1,100 more than the previous school year and nearly 400 more students than their projected enrollment numbers for this school year.

“The holidays can be very stressful for a family that can’t always put enough food on the table,” said Tiffanie Nelson, Founder & Executive Director of Food For Thought.

“We try to relieve the stress on the family and the student by providing 20 meals that students would have received as part of the free and reduced lunch program at their schools and a traditional holiday meal along with gifts donated by the community. It really has become such a community effort and we couldn’t do it alone.”

Community partners like Beachy Beach 30A, Seaside Associated Stores, Wells Fargo, Walmart, Alys Beach, Sundog Books, and Rent Gear Here have been involved the last few years donating food items, gifts, volunteering their time and even organizing their own fundraisers.

Food For Thought has two pantry locations and both will be open to accept food item donations ​December 11 – 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and December 20 – 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Accepted food items include breakfast items, healthy snacks, applesauce, fruit cups, peanut butter, jelly, pop top soup and vegetables, and mac & cheese (please, no glass containers).

If you would like to Sponsor a Family in need this holiday season, you can donate funds online here.

For more info on how you can donate time, gifts, or services, visit Food For Thought Outreach or email [email protected].