Palm Beach County Food Bank mobilizes community ahead of World Hunger Day

Chef Volunteer at The Breakers 100k Meals fundraising event where thousands of meals will be packed for distribution throughout the county. [Photo by Palm Beach County Food Bank]

As World Hunger Day approaches on May 28, the Palm Beach County Food Bank is launching a series of initiatives throughout May aimed at addressing food insecurity across the region, where approximately one in nine residents struggles to access consistent meals.

According to the organization, nearly 192,000 people in Palm Beach County experience food insecurity. To meet that need, the Food Bank sources food from grocery stores, farms, distributors and wholesalers, distributing it through a network of more than 200 local partners, including food pantries, soup kitchens and schools.

Central to this year’s efforts is the fourth annual Meal Build Food Drive, a community-focused initiative that invites local businesses to collect nonperishable food items and transform them into large-scale, creative displays. The structures will be showcased from May 18 through May 31, with all donated food distributed to families, children and seniors in need.

Volunteers with Valley Bank 2025 Meal Build. [Photo by Palm Beach County Food Bank]

“Our Meal Build participants continue to inspire us with their creativity and generosity,” said Jamie Kendall. “It’s a powerful way to engage teams while directly supporting neighbors facing hunger.”

Last year’s event highlighted both creativity and impact. A team from Suffolk Construction partnered with BRUNT Workwear to build a giant work boot sculpture using more than 5,800 cans of food, generating over 4,100 meals for local residents.

The Food Bank will also participate in the nationwide Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on Saturday, May 9, led by the National Association of Letter Carriers. The annual effort, the largest single-day food drive in the country, helps replenish food supplies during a time when donations typically decline. Residents can participate by placing nonperishable, protein-rich items by their mailboxes for collection.

Volunteers help pack food at The Breakers 100k Meals fundraising event. [Photo by Palm Beach County Food Bank]

Additional support will come from corporate partners such as The Breakers Palm Beach, which will host its Day of 100,000 Meals volunteer event on May 27. The initiative brings employees together to pack thousands of meals for distribution throughout the county.

Officials say the combined efforts aim to raise awareness, increase food donations and engage the community in addressing hunger at a critical time of year.

For more information or to get involved, visit pbcfoodbank.org/events or call 561-670-2518.