The Okaloosa County School District distributed Thanksgiving meals to 200 families last Thursday, with an additional six families receiving support through Children in Crisis, as part of the district’s annual holiday initiative.

• Each meal package included turkey, milk, butter, whipped cream, pumpkin pie, rolls, mashed potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, green beans, onions, stuffing, cranberry sauce, chicken stock, a roasting pan, plates and utensils. Families also received Chromebooks donated earlier this year by Response Force 1.

The initiative, conducted in partnership with Publix of Niceville, raised $13,000 through contributions from Jacobs Titan, Legacy Vacations, Inc., Eglin Federal Credit Union, Florida Power & Light, Okaloosa Gas and Forest Heights Baptist Church. The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation provided bags for perishable items.

“Today, our Okaloosa County School District family came together once again to support our students and their loved ones through our annual Thanksgiving Meal Initiative,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers said. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community partners, we provided Thanksgiving meals to 200 families and were proud to extend additional support to foster families through Children in Crisis.”

Niceville Publix staff assisted in packing the meals, while district staff volunteered to assemble and organize the meal kits.

“This year brought a special bonus, thanks to Response Force 1; families also received a brand-new Chromebook,” Chambers said. “This initiative is more than a tradition; it is our why. It is a privilege to support our families, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this season brighter for the children and families we serve.”