HEALTH & WELLNESS CORNER
HEALTH & WELLNESS CORNER
BRUCE BLITMAN LINDA ROMAN
Nourishing Hope in Palm Beach County: How the Palm Beach County Food Bank Helps Our Neighbors in Need
In Palm Beach County, hunger is a reality far closer than many of us realize. Every day, 193,000 people— among them 51,000 children— struggle to find enough nourishing food. Seniors, too, often face heartbreaking choices between buying groceries or paying for medications. Behind these numbers are real people— our neighbors, coworkers, classmates, and friends— who need support.
That’ s where the Palm Beach County Food Bank steps in. With a network of more than 200 partner agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, preschools, afterschool programs, elementary schools, and even libraries, the Food Bank is working tirelessly to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry. Last year alone, the Food Bank distributed over 14 million pounds of food, equal to nearly 11 million meals, changing lives one plate at a time.
Real Stories, Real Impact
Statistics tell only part of the story. Hunger is deeply personal, and the faces of those helped by the Palm Beach County Food Bank remind us why this work is so vital.
“ I wish for a day when children, seniors, families, and our Palm Beach County neighbors won’ t need us,” said Food Bank CEO Jamie Kendall.“ A day when our programs will help people experiencing hunger provide for themselves. This is when our work ends and our vision of alleviating hunger starts.”
Take Jordan, a 7-year-old who often came to school tired and distracted on Mondays. His teacher noticed. Now, through the Food Bank’ s Weekend Food For Kids program, Jordan is one of 5,200 elementary school children who receives a weekend bag of supplemental food every Friday. He’ s more energetic, engaged in class, and has the confidence to raise his hand again. His smile is proof that food does more than fill a stomach— it fuels learning, growth, and hope.
For Maria, a single mother of two, the Food Bank was a lifeline during a difficult stretch. Working two jobs, she still struggled to make ends meet. Rising rent and gas prices left little money for fresh groceries. When she found her neighborhood pantry, stocked thanks to Food Bank deliveries, she was able to bring home nutritious food for her children.“ It gave me dignity,” she shared.“ I didn’ t have to choose between paying the light bill and buying dinner.”
And then there’ s Mr. Thompson, a retired veteran in his late seventies. Living alone on a fixed income, he faced impossible trade-offs between affording his heart medication and filling his refrigerator. Through the Food Bank’ s Groceries for Seniors program, he now has regular access to fresh produce and pantry staples.“ It’ s more than food,” he says.“ It’ s knowing someone cares.”
Innovation in Fighting Hunger
One of the most exciting developments at the Food Bank came just one year ago with the opening of the Michelle Hagerty Community Kitchen. The kitchen has the capacity to prepare 10,000 meals a day during a disaster. Over the summer, this state-of-the-art facility prepared and delivered more than 3,000 fresh, nutritious meals each weekday for children who don’ t get enough to eat when school meals programs are closed. There is also a beautiful new Premier Kitchen that serves as a space for corporate meetings, retreats, and events. Our culinary director, Chef Doug Barg, works with his team to prepare delicious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks.
The kitchen also provides workforce
development opportunities, training people with barriers to employment in culinary skills that can lead to well-paying jobs.
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