GIVING TUESDAY

A Global Day of Giving

🎉 Join Us for Giving Tuesday and Make a Difference! 🎉

Your support means that not only can we have an immediate impact, but we'll also be able to continue providing meals and services to children in need.

Donate Now

Don't miss out on these two delicious fundraisers during Giving Tuesday week!

Kick Off Giving Tuesday Week with Feed the Need!

Join us at Longhorn Steakhouse in Palatka on Monday, December 2nd for a meal that makes a difference! 🍽️ Just show this flyer (printed or digital) to your server, and 10% of your transaction will go to Feed the Need—helping us provide meals to food-insecure children in Putnam County.

Enjoy a delicious meal and help make a lasting impact. ❤️ See you there!

📅 Date: Monday, December 2nd 5pm-9p

📍 Location: Longhorn Steakhouse, Palatka

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who it Supports: Food-insecure children in Putnam County

Thank you for feeding hope in our community!

Join us for a Giving Tuesday Dinner!

Drop by Sonny’s BBQ in Palatka at 425 N State Road 19 to show your support for Feed the Need of Putnam County on December 3rd. We will receive 25% of all of supporter sales as a part of our Spirit Night! Remember to mention our name and show our Spirit Night Flyer to your server to ensure we receive credit for your transaction! We’ll see you there!

Tuesday, December 3rd 5pm-8pm.

Putnam County Statistics

• 27% Food Insecurity Rate Putnam County, 85% free or reduced lunches and breakfast.

• 14,900 Food Insecure Individuals (Rounded)

• 5,100 children below the age of 18 are food insecure

• 88% of Households below 200% poverty (SNAP, WIC, CSFP, TEFAP)

• 66th of 67 counties for overall health. (Meaning we are next to the bottom)

• Ranked among the LEAST healthy in Florida.

• 25% of the entire Putnam County population is in poor to fair health.

• 24% of the population lives in poverty which is double the national average of 12.3%

• 35% of children in public schools live in poverty.

Effects of Child Hunger

• 100 missed meals per family per month

• 84% of households buy cheap food versus healthy because of the price

• 20% of children in food insecure homes are NOT eligible for food assistance

• Food-insecure children are likely to:

• Repeat a grade in elementary school

• Experience developmental impairments (language/motor skills)

• Have social problems

• Have behavioral problems

Feed the Need’s Mission

Feed the Need of Putnam County’s mission is to feed food-insecure students within Putnam County Schools with over-the-weekend food. Students are identified by teachers and faculty within the PCSD. All participating schools have a designated food pantry and support team to distribute food to the identified food-insecure students. The basic weekend food supplied for students by FTN is critical for students living in low-income households. Putnam County is ranked 66 of 67 for food insecurity, and 85% are on free meals at PCSD. Feed the Need is partnered with the Putnam County School District to ensure that no students go hungry over the weekends. Currently, 800 students receive weekend food each weekend from FTN.

What is Feed the Need’s impact on the Putnam County School District with food and other items supplied throughout a typical school year?

Feed the Need of Putnam County is dedicated to combating food insecurity in our community. We receive support through grants, donations, fundraisers, food drives, and food rescue efforts. Currently, we serve 800 students across 12 schools every week, ensuring they have the food they need when school meals are unavailable.

Here’s how your contributions make a direct impact:

• $6.00 a student x 800 weekly = $4800.00 a week

• $4800.00 a week x 36 PCSD weeks in the school year = $172,800.00

or 28,800 backpack bags sent = 72,000 meals

• Summer program snacks and drinks as needed, approximately $10,000.00

over 1000 students served each week

• Additional food sent home weekly (not basic staples) such as peanut butter, jelly, extra potted meat, and family bags of basic groceries: $2.00 a week x 800 students = $1600.00 a week x 36 weeks = $57,600.00

• Feminine hygiene products and toiletries sent to the schools, approximately $5,000.00

• School supplies for the teachers to use in their classrooms, approximately $5,000.00

• Weekly donation to the Interlachen High School Culinary Arts Department:

meat, dairy and produce approximately $1000.00 a week equaling $36,000.00 yearly

Average: $286,400.00 each school year.

This is how Feed the Need impacts food insecure students right here at home in the Putnam County School District.

Consider Setting Up a Monthly Donation

Now is a wonderful time to make a lasting impact by setting up a monthly donation! You can do this easily through PayPal or Zeffy (which doesn’t charge us any fees).

Just $25 a month feeds 8 food-insecure children throughout the school year! Every contribution, big or small, helps us nourish more children in need. Thank you for your support!

Join the Team!

Donate Now

CLICK HERE to see a quick video of our volunteers in action!

Feed the Need of Putnam County

PO Box 1321, Palatka, FL 32177

(386) 937-3862

Food Donation Drop Off:

110 N State Rd 19

Palatka, FL 32177

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