BHH is now serving weekly to-go meals to the Lake Worth community on Friday evening from 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm at Proclaim Church (2116 Lantana Rd, Lake Worth, FL 33462). This initiative is an extension of the organization’s six-day-a-week Hot Meal Program at its main facility in East Boca. This program is open to anyone and no identification is required.
This service is being added due to the growing need within the community for hunger relief assistance. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the area north of Lantana Road and east of I-95, only a half-mile from the Lake Worth distribution site, is considered to be low income. This means the poverty rate is 20% or greater, or the median family income is less than or equal to 80% of the statewide median family income.
Since the expansion began on Feb. 25, 572 to-go meals have been distributed to families in need in Lake Worth. After seeing the need in the community first hand, the Rev. Dr. Andrew D. Hagen, a BHH board member who previously served as the church’s pastor, offered the church’s facilities as an expansion site for the organization’s Hot Meal Program. With the help of a grant from his family’s foundation, the initiative was implemented last month.
“When the idea of adding a Hot Meal Program was offered to us, we were enthusiastic about continuing to assist hard-working families and financially challenged seniors,” Hagen said.
Proclaim Church also serves as one of five distribution locations for the organization’s Pantry Bag Program. In addition to Lake Worth, qualifying Palm Beach County residents living at or below the poverty level are eligible to receive pantry bags of groceries in East Boca Raton, West Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and Delray Beach, including non-perishable staples such as rice, pasta, beans, fresh seasonal produce, and protein. Distribution at Proclaim Church in Lake Worth occurs on Saturdays from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm and averages about 575 pantry bags distributed per month. Registration is completed in person during a client’s first visit.
“We have been able to expand the footprint of our hunger relief efforts largely through the support of our partners in the faith community, who have made their facilities available to us,” said Greg Hazle, Boca Helping Hands’ Executive Director. “Our partnership with Proclaim Church has been a critical factor in successfully serving the greater Lake Worth community since June 2020.”
Information on how to register for the Pantry Bag Program, hours, and distribution locations can be found on at BocaHelpingHands.org/PantryBagProgram.
Individuals looking to volunteer in Lake Worth to help with the Hot Meal Program and Pantry Bag Distribution at Proclaim Church can contact Will Torres at (954) 793-8376.
To help those who may need further assistance, BHH has partnered with the Palm Beach County Food Bank to help individuals in this community sign up for federal and state benefits such as SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid. This service is free of charge and available by appointment on Fridays from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at Proclaim Church. The goal is to help individuals who may not have access to a computer or need assistance navigating the intricate application process. Since the start of the Benefits Outreach Program at Proclaim Church last June, 159 people have been registered. To make an appointment, call Giselle Davila at (561) 513-0096.
In addition to receiving hot meals and pantry bags of groceries, Lake Worth residents may also be eligible for emergency financial assistance with rent and utilities, partial reimbursement for childcare expenses, and healthcare vouchers for medical, dental, and behavioral care services (for those who are uninsured). Requirements and additional information about how to apply for financial assistance can be found at BocaHelpingHands.org/ResourceCenter. Additional information for how to obtain healthcare vouchers can be found at BocaHelpingHands.org/Healthcare.
