A Helping Hand: Urban League Hosts Annual Summer Food Drive

Cars by the dozens lined the parking lot of the University Preparatory Academy in West Palm Beach on Saturday morning (June 22nd) as area residents waited to collect free food.

Volunteers filled open car trunks with bags packed with fresh chicken, salmon, pasta, bread, fruit and vegetables. The food distribution was held as part of the Urban League of Palm Beach County's (West Palm Beach, FL) third annual Summer Food Drive. The food drive was held at three sites simultaneously in West Palm Beach, Delray Beach and Belle Glade.

Urban League President and CEO Patrick Franklin estimated that 400 to 500 families would be served at each site. This year's food drive was moved from July to June, with organizers wanting to tie the event closer to the end of the school year, Franklin said.

The summer food drive is similar to one the Urban League holds each fall to provide meals for families in need for the Thanksgiving holiday.

“We’ve been doing Thanksgiving for 30 years,” Franklin said. “But people eat more than just Thanksgiving. Our kids depend upon breakfast and lunch at school every day. School ended three weeks ago, and so we feel as though there’s a need. " 

Franklin said more than $27,000 was raised for the food drive, primarily through private and corporate donations.

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