As the school year approaches, the Palm Beach County Food Bank (PBCFB) is gearing up for its back-to-school food drive, kicking off on August 1. The goal is simple: ensure that no child goes hungry as they head to class.
This year, PBCFB is running the “One Can, Two Can, Who Can? You Can!” drive, asking for nonperishable items rich in protein. They need donations like canned beans, fish, chicken, beef, peanut butter, and fruits and vegetables. Alarmingly, one in six children in Palm Beach County goes to school hungry, so the food bank hopes to double last year’s contributions of 2,582 pounds.
“These donations provide children with the nutrition they need for better focus and health in the classroom,” says Jamie Kendall, the CEO of PBCFB. “It’s about giving them, and their families, hope as the new school year begins.”
The drive runs throughout August. Donations can be dropped off at various locations across the county, including:
- Palm Beach County Food Bank – 701 Boutwell Road, #A-1 and A-2, Lake Worth Beach
- Acreage Branch – 15801 Orange Blvd., Loxahatchee
- Bake & Serve, Inc. – 9100 Belvedere Road, Suite 113, Royal Palm Beach
- Canyon Branch – 8915 Senator Joe Abruzzo Ave., Boynton Beach
- Club Pilates Wellington – 10660 Forest Hill Blvd., #140, Wellington
- First Horizon Bank locations in Delray Beach, Jupiter, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and North Palm Beach
- Gardens Branch Library – 11303 Campus Dr., Palm Beach Gardens
- Various other library branches in Boca Raton, Greenacres, and Wellington
- Synergy Health & Wellness – 210 Jupiter Lakes Blvd., #5101, Jupiter
The need for food relief has been on the rise. According to recent studies, food insecurity affects up to 11% of households in Palm Beach County, which is a noticeable increase from previous years. Experts suggest that community drives like this one are crucial for combating hunger, especially as families face rising costs of living.
Social media has been buzzing with support for food drives across the nation. Many users share their experiences donating, creating a sense of community and motivation among others to contribute. This grassroots movement has shown that small actions, when combined, can lead to significant change.
By participating in the back-to-school drive, residents play a vital role in ensuring that every child has the chance to succeed and focus on their studies without the distraction of hunger.
