Feed The Need of Putnam County, Inc.

Mission Statement

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.

Statistics

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 impact in the Putnam County School District

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

Feed the Need receives food and monies through grants, donations, fundraisers, food drives and food rescue. We currently serve 800 students in 12 schools each week. The average cost of basic staple food sent home weekly is $6 a student. See chart below for breakdown:

$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.

Total: $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.