DESTIN, Fla. – Saltwater Restaurants presented a $5,725 check to Food For Thought Outreach as part of its successful Bites for Backpacks fundraising campaign. The donation supports Food For Thought’s mission to fight childhood food insecurity in Okaloosa and Walton counties by providing weekly backpacks filled with healthy food to students in need.

The check was presented by Saltwater Restaurants’ Clint Rogers, Joshua Daugherty and Terry Lovelady, who praised the community and restaurant teams for their commitment to giving back. Participating restaurants included The Crab Trap and Surf Hut in Destin and The Crab Trap, Rockin’ Tacos and Floyd’s Shrimp & Steak House at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island.

“This effort reflects the heart of our company and the compassion of our community,” said Nick Sarra. “We’re proud to support an organization like Food For Thought that makes a tangible difference in the lives of local children and families. And we’re not done, we plan to continue supporting their important work through the fall and winter as the need grows.”

The Bites for Backpacks campaign, which ran throughout the summer, raised funds through special promotions, including a $1 donation for every Lobster Bites appetizer sold. All proceeds from the campaign go directly to Food For Thought to help prepare for the school year ahead.

“We are incredibly grateful to Saltwater Restaurants for their generous support of our mission to fight childhood food insecurity,” said Tiffanie Nelson, founder and CEO of Food For Thought Outreach. “Their commitment enables us to provide essential access to food for the children who need it most in our community. Support like this not only nourishes growing bodies but also provides hope and encouragement to families facing difficult times. Partnerships like this truly make a difference.”

Food For Thought Outreach continues its mission year-round, serving students across 32 schools in two counties. To learn more or make a donation, visit fftfl.org. For more information about Saltwater Restaurants, visit saltwaterrestaurants.com.

About Saltwater Restaurants Inc. Saltwater Restaurants, Inc. has grown to become 11 distinctive entities along Florida’s Emerald Coast. Waterfront views and fresh Gulf seafood are easily the restaurants’ claim to fame, making them a fan favorite for both visitors and locals.

The heartbeat of Saltwater Restaurants lies within the fully operating wild fish processing facility, known as their seafood commissary. The commissary crew receives fresh and local seafood to be weighed, filleted, and quickly distributed across the restaurants on a daily basis. With deliveries arriving straight from the Destin harbor, each year the commissary prepares over 250,000 lbs of fresh-caught Gulf favorites such as shrimp, grouper, snapper, mahi-mahi, cobia, wahoo, and amberjack. Saltwater Restaurants is committed to bringing fresh local seafood directly from the Gulf to the guest.

Saltwater Restaurant’s dedication doesn’t stop at the table either. The restaurants are fully committed to acknowledging their ultimate asset, the beaches of the Emerald Coast. The company aids in beach preservation initiatives such as hosting bi-annual beach clean-ups and implementing a company-wide “Skip the Straw” campaign. Ongoing events such as waterfront fireworks, luaus, movies on the beach, and pirate shows offer families free entertainment for memories that last a lifetime.

The ongoing love for each restaurant is simple… It’s everything you come to the beach for… delicious food, happy service, and outstanding waterfront views.

Saltwater Restaurants Presents Check to Food for Thought Outreach Following Bites for Backpacks Campaign