For hundreds of students across Putnam County, weekends can mean a gap in access to reliable meals.
Feed the Need of Putnam County is working to close that gap — and with support from the Florida Beverage Association (FBA) and the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America (ABFHA), the program is reaching more families than ever.
Each week during the school year, Feed the Need provides weekend food to approximately 800 children, helping ensure they have consistent access to nutrition when school is not in session. Over the course of the year, that adds up to nearly 28,800 weekend food distributions for local students.
The program goes beyond providing meals. It also focuses on helping families build simple, sustainable habits that support overall well-being.
“The work being done by Feed the Need of Putnam County is making a real difference for students and families,” said Liz DeWitt, President and CEO of the Florida Beverage Association. “Programs like this are not only helping meet immediate needs but also providing resources that support healthier habits over time.”
Through the grant, Feed the Need has expanded its health and wellness efforts, including:
- Monthly flyers included in food bags with practical tips families can use at home;
- Weekly health-focused messages shared across social media, reaching thousands in the community;
- Posters placed in classrooms and cafeterias to reinforce healthy choices throughout the school day; and
- Engagement with teachers and school staff to help carry these messages into everyday routines.
With more than 3,300 followers and growing engagement online, Feed the Need is extending its reach beyond the classroom and into homes across the community, sharing simple, relatable messages around hydration, nutrition, and everyday wellness.
Together, these efforts are helping create a more consistent support system for students — one that combines access to food with information families can use long after the weekend ends.
FBA’s support of Feed the Need of Putnam County reflects a broader commitment to partnering with local organizations that are finding practical, community-driven ways to support families and improve quality of life across Florida.
Looking ahead, the organization plans to continue expanding its outreach and strengthening its partnerships with schools to ensure even more students have access to both nutritious food and the tools to build healthy routines.
For more information about the Florida Beverage Association and its community initiatives, visit Flabev.org. To learn more about Feed the Need of Putnam County, visit FeedTheNeedOfPutnam.org.