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Feed the Need of Putnam County details food programs, announces $25,000 beverage-industry grant and recent gala proceeds
Summary
Feed the Need of Putnam County told the Putnam County School Board on Nov. 4 that it had received a $25,000 grant from the Florida Beverage and American Beverage Association and described how volunteers and schools share responsibility for distributing weekend food backpacks to students in need.
Feed the Need of Putnam County told the Putnam County School Board on Nov. 4 that the nonprofit received a $25,000 grant from the Florida Beverage and American Beverage Association to launch a health-and-wellness campaign for its weekend backpack program.
Jackie Porter introduced the group and said the grant will fund work teaching families how to use nonperishable items and tips on activity and recipes. Porter told the board the organization is distributing guidance to faculty and using payroll-deduction donations from district staff to support food purchases.
Denise Bramlett, executive director and founder of Feed the Need of Putnam County, described the organization’s operations: volunteers sort and pack food at a warehouse every other Tuesday, schools identify students in need and pick up food to distribute on Fridays, and each school maintains a pantry or designated volunteer for distribution. Bramlett said the group is supported by volunteer labor and donations and asked for one-time and recurring donations and sponsorships for the annual gala.
When asked about SNAP-related demand, Porter said, “We haven't yet. We did have a family, a Spanish speaking…family…asking for food,” and that the organization expects increased need in the coming period. Porter also told the board the group’s recent fall gala raised “somewhere right about $54,000.”
Feed the Need board and volunteers described common food items and operational realities, noting that some families receive only nonperishable items over holiday weekends and suggesting donated items of greatest need: canned protein (peanut butter when available), jelly (November focus), ravioli-style canned meals, breakfast bars and snacks. The group also announced an empty-bowl fundraiser on Nov. 17; proceeds will go to Feed the Need’s programs.
The presentation closed with board appreciation and a request that district staff and board members encourage donations and participation; no funding request to alter the district budget was made at the meeting.
