The third annual Stock the Pantry Party will take place on Thursday, August 25, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Food For Thought Santa Rosa Beach Pantry at 132 Market Street off Highway 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.

Food For Thought Outreach has rapidly grown over the last six years, increasing 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 million 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. The plan to serve about 1,500 students a week in the upcoming school year.

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.

Guests are asked to bring five 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.

In addition, 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.

“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.,” said 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 if you are interested in one of the remaining sponsorship opportunities for the third annual Stock the Pantry Party.

For more info, visit www.fftfl.org or follow the event page on Facebook.