Hunger Relief Monthly Update

October 2022

Every month United Way of Palm Beach County (UWPBC)'s Hunger Relief Initiative provides you with the important news about Hunger Relief in Palm Beach County. Information is current as of October 3, 2022. Check out what's new and learn about ongoing work below.

HURRICANE HELP

  • Help Support Hurricane Ian Recovery Efforts: Recovery from a hurricane doesn't take months, it takes years. United Way of Florida's Disaster Fund will be directed to Florida communities hit hardest by Hurricane Ian. To donate to the Disaster Recovery Fund, please click here.
  • Florida Disaster Nutrition Assistance: Due to Hurricane Ian, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved several waivers for SNAP and Child Nutrition Programs. The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) has issued mass replacements of benefits to 19 of the hardest hit counties and SNAP can be used to purchase hot foods throughout the state through October 31, 2022. To learn more, please click here

FOOD RESOURCES

  • School District of Palm Beach County (SDPBC) FREE Meals: School breakfasts and lunches are now free for ALL children in schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program with SDPBC. Your children can eat delicious, nutritious breakfasts and lunch at school, every day of the school week! Click here to check out the menu for your school.

  • Instacart Now Accepting SNAP: SNAP benefits can be used to buy groceries at participating stores using Instacart. Delivery is free on the first three orders over $35 when using SNAP, through 12/31/22. To learn more, click here.
  • UWPBC Food Finder Map: The best way to access emergency food is through your local food pantry. UWPBC's Food Finder Map is updated weekly and has been viewed over 185,000 times! Anyone looking for food or helping others find food is encouraged to look up locations on the map. You can also get help finding food locations by calling 2-1-1.

The best way to ensure food insecure people have access to emergency food is through a robust food pantry system. Pantries rely mainly on food from local food banks and other donations. Inflation and the end of many COVID-era food programs have decreased contributions and food available through the emergency food system. You can learn how to support your local food bank and pantry system through food donations here.

EVENTS

  • Project Thanksgiving: For the 32nd year, Project Thanksgiving is back! UWPBC, alongside our partners CBS 12 and Palm Beach County Food Bank, raise funds and food to provide our neighbors in need with a hearty, holiday meal. To learn more about donating, hosting a food drive, or volunteering, please click here
  • Palm Health Foundation's Train the Brain 2022: Train the Brain is one of Palm Health Foundation's annual community health campaigns and takes place from October 1-31. The goal of Train the Brain is to help Palm Beach County residents understand that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the body. This year's theme is Celebrating Human Flourishing Through the NeuroArts. To learn more, click here.  
  • White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health: The White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health took place on September 28, 2022, over 50 years after the last conference. The White House unveiled their National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, which you can read here

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

  • United Way of Palm Beach County (UWPBC) Senior Director for Hunger Relief: UWPBC is looking for someone to join the Hunger Relief team! The Senior Director for Hunger Relief position works closely with the Hunger Relief team and community partners to advance the progress of the Palm Beach County Hunger Relief Plan. To learn more about the position and apply, please click here
  • FLIPANY Program Monitor:  FLIPANY is looking for someone to join their team as a Program Monitor! The Program Monitor works closely with meal sites to maintain program quality and integrity. To learn more about the position and apply, please click here
  • Urban Health Partnerships (UHP) Healthy Policies and Advocacy Coordinator: UHP is hiring a Healthy Policies and Advocacy Coordinator! The Coordinator position will provide support in collective impact efforts around age-friendly, food access, and health equity projects with an emphasis on policy, systems, and environmental change. To learn more about the position and apply, please click here.  

HUNGER RELIEF MEETINGS

We could not do our work without you! The Hunger Relief Initiative uses the Collective Impact Model to implement the Palm Beach County Hunger Relief Plan and make sustainable, long-term changes to reduce hunger in Palm Beach County. We do this work through our Hunger Relief Advisory Council and the Council's work groups and subcommittees.


The staff regularly convenes the Hunger Relief Advisory Council, five Work Groups, and two Subcommittees. Please send us an email to learn more.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Area Agency on Aging Palm Beach/Treasure Coast

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The Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast (AAA) is a private, not-for-profit organization that administers public funds, private grants, and donations to provide services to seniors, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie counties. 


AAA's Helpline is the safe, free gateway to services. The Helpline's Information and Referral team manages all incoming calls, listening closely to identify all unmet needs. Specialists utilize a Resource Database to provide resources and referrals, including for Medicaid long-term care, home-delivered meals, respite for caregivers, electric bill assistance, help with prescriptions, and more. To speak to a Helpline Specialist, call 1-866-684-5885 or fill out a referral.

We could not do this work without you!


The Hunger Relief Team is appreciative of everything you do for our community. Please feel free to reach out to us anytime by calling us at

561-375-6600 or email us.

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