Community-wide food drive runs August 1–31 to help provide nutritious meals for local children facing hunger

(LAKE WORTH, FLA) – As students prepare to head back to the classroom, the Palm Beach County Food Bank (PBCFB) is once again calling on the community to help ensure children have the nutritious food they need to succeed. Beginning Saturday, Aug. 1, PBCFB will launch its 6th Annual "One Can, Two Can, Who Can? You Can!" Back-to-School Food Drive, running through Monday, Aug. 31, with collection sites located throughout Palm Beach County.

Held in partnership with local businesses, organizations and Palm Beach County Library System branches, the annual campaign collects nonperishable food items that help stock the Food Bank's shelves as families prepare for the new school year. The most-needed donations include protein-rich foods such as canned beans, tuna, chicken, beef, peanut butter, as well as canned fruits and vegetables.

"Back-to-school should be an exciting time for every child, but for thousands of families in Palm Beach County, it also brings added financial pressure," said Jamie Kendall, CEO of the Palm Beach County Food Bank. "When children have access to nutritious food, they're better equipped to learn, grow and thrive. We invite our community to join us by donating a few pantry staples that can make a meaningful difference for local students and their families as they begin the school year."

According to the Palm Beach County Food Bank, more than 51,000 children in Palm Beach County experience food insecurity, and more than 80,000, or 47%, of local students qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. As schools transition from universal free breakfast and lunch to income-based free and reduced-price meal programs at some district schools, more families this year may struggle to put nutritious food on the table. That's why many children continue to rely on the Palm Beach County Food Bank and its network of community partners for nutritious food beyond the classroom.

With approximately 192,000 food-insecure residents throughout Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach County Food Bank (PBCFB) procures food from grocery stores, farmers, food distributors, wholesalers and other sources and distributes it to over 200 local community partners, including food pantries, soup kitchens and schools. During its 2026 fiscal year, PBCFB distributed over 11.9 million meals to over 197,000 residents experiencing hunger. The Food Bank has been honored with several accolades, including the Chamber of the Palm Beaches Health and Human Services Organization of the Year and the Community Collaborator Award at the 8th Annual Nonprofits First Hats Off Awards.

Participating public drop-off locations include: 

• Palm Beach County Food Bank – 701 Boutwell Road, Suites A-1 lobby and warehouse, Lake Worth Beach
• Palm Beach County Library System branches countywide, except for the Belle Glade branch
• Arts Garage Delray
• First Horizon Bank
• Synergy Health & Wellness
• Additional community partners throughout Palm Beach County

The community is also invited to support the campaign by dropping off shelf-stable food donations at the Palm Beach County Food Bank, located at 701 Boutwell Road A-1 Lake Worth Beach, FL 33461, on Thursday, Aug. 6, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Food Bank staff and volunteers will be on hand to accept donations and help launch this year's community-wide effort to ensure local children and families have access to nutritious food as they head back to school.

To register as a participating collection site, view the complete list of donation locations, donate funds or learn more about the campaign, visit the Palm Beach County Food Bank's 6th Annual Back-to-School Food Drive webpage: https://www.pbcfoodbank.org/6th-annual-back-to-school-food-drive.

For more information about the Palm Beach County Food Bank, to volunteer or make a donation, please visit www.pbcfoodbank.org or call 561-670-2518.

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