Tallahassee Food Challenge

THE KEY INCOME-BASED METRICS OF POVERTY

Federal Poverty Level (FPL): The standard metric, where a household's annual cash income falls below guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (e.g., in 2017, a family of four was in poverty if earning below $24,300).

ALICE/Poverty Thresholds: Defined as the combined percentage of households that are either below the official poverty line or are ALICE (above the federal poverty line but unable to afford basic necessities like housing and childcare).

150% of FPL (School Readiness): It is advocated that eligibility for State benefits be adjusted, such as the School Readiness childcare program, from 150% of the FPL ($46,800 for a family of four) to 85% of the State Median Income, arguing the 150% FPL threshold forces a "fiscal cliff" where families lose benefits despite needing them.
"Fiscal Cliff" Effect: Defined as the poverty experience in terms of marginal income increases, where small raises for working families result in a net loss of benefits, specifically in childcare.

Key Findings in Recent Reports (2025–2026):
Childhood Poverty Rate: 16.5% of Florida's children (approximately 711,576) live in poverty.
Concentration: Poverty is highly concentrated, with roughly half of the state's children in poverty living in only 15% of Florida's zip codes.

TallyHunger.com

TallyHunger.com

ACL Home Inspections Sellers Tile

Capstan's marketing leverage is winning hearts and moving minds with simple, direct messaging that generates greater benefits to local organizations:
The UNSY ~ Celebrate the uncelebrated
Tallahassee Food Challenge ~ Feed hungry kids
Tallahassee Prepared ~ Remind our neighbors
Help Christmas Connection ~ Share Christmas love

During summer, food supplies grow dangerously low among Tallahassee food-assistance charities when demand is up and donations are low. Donate or find more info at tallahasseefoodchallenge.com.

We want to encourage people to give to hungry kids. The Tallahassee Food Challenge takes place in the summer when hunger is high and donations are low. Visit tallahasseefoodchallenge.com to find out more.

Any amount helps! The Tallahassee Food Challenge takes place in the summer when hunger is high and donations are low. Visit tallahasseefoodchallenge.com to find out more.

During the months of May and June, food supplies grow dangerously low among Tallahassee food-assistance charities when demand is up and donations are low. Capstan Marketing created the Tallahassee Food Challenge campaign, which is a collective effort among businesses and volunteers. Donate or find more info here: https://tallahasseefoodchallenge.com/introduction/.

Great story from WFSU's Tom Flanigan regarding this year's TFC campaign.
https://news.wfsu.org/wfsu-local-news/2025-05-29/this-years-tallahassee-food-challenge-will-help-hungry-echo-clients-in-a-five-county-region
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Whiddon Glass
Capstan Marketing

Capstan Marketing is focusing on storytelling and emotional connection as key strategies for business owners to improve their marketing efforts and engage their ideal customers more effectively.
Here's a breakdown of what they are teaching:
* Moving Beyond Basic Marketing: They're emphasizing that simply listing features or benefits ("doing more than so") isn't enough in today's market.
* Narrative Development: They're teaching businesses how to craft and articulate their unique story. This could involve their origin, values, mission, or the impact they have on their customers.
* Emotional Engagement: The focus is on connecting with prospects on an emotional level. This goes beyond rational decision-making and taps into feelings, aspirations, and needs.
* Targeted Audience Connection: They're helping businesses identify and understand their "best prospects" and tailor their storytelling to resonate with them specifically.
* Product and Service Integration: The ultimate goal is to link these emotionally engaging stories to the products and services being offered, creating a stronger connection and driving desire.
In essence, Capstan Marketing is advocating for a more human-centered approach to marketing, emphasizing authenticity, relatability, and emotional resonance to build stronger customer relationships and ultimately drive business success.