PALM BEACH COUNTY — According to the Palm Beach County Food Bank, one in five children in Palm Beach County will go to bed hungry. For the second year, GL Homes will fully fund Boys & Girls Clubs of Delray Beach and Boca Raton’s Hunger Relief programs with a $16,000 donation to mark September as Hunger Action Month. The generous gift will provide more than 12,000 hot, nutritious meals and healthy snacks to the neediest children in the south county area.

“Hunger is an urgent issue that must be addressed. It is unacceptable that any child goes to bed hungry in Palm Beach County. GL Homes will do everything we can to assist the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County to combat hunger and bring attention to this problem during Hunger Action Month and every day of the year,” said GL Homes Senior Director of Community Relations Sarah Alsofrom.

Soaring food prices, up 10% from last year, is making it increasingly difficult for families to afford the food they need. Nearly 95% of Club members live in poverty and rely on the Clubs’ Hunger Relief programs. Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County supplies free food to 100% of Club members and their families throughout the county.

“Hunger is often a hidden problem in Palm Beach County, and without the generous support of community partners like GL Homes, solutions would be hard to find for the families that we serve that live in poverty. We continue to see a dramatic need in 17 of our Clubs across the county due to economic hardships created by the increasing food costs,” said President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County Jaene Miranda. “Our mission is to make sure that every child reaches their full potential, but to be successful we need to ensure that every child receives proper nutrition daily.”

It is important that children maintain a healthy diet and eat regularly. Not having access to regular healthy meals can cause a devasting impact on children’s health. To ensure that children in the community receive nutritious meals, Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s hands out over 675,000 healthy snacks and hot meals every year. During school days, the Clubs provide a snack and dinner, and during non-school days breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided

“We find that many people do not realize the great need that still exists in pockets of our community, especially in such affluent areas as Delray Beach and Boca Raton. Without the continued support of our Hunger Relief initiatives, many of our Club members would not know where to get their next meal,” said Miranda.

“There is no question about it: hunger impedes development. No child can learn, focus or succeed without nutritious, good-tasting food and a full stomach. Together, we can solve this problem.” said Alsofrom.

If you would like to support Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s Hunger Relief programs, visit www.BGCPBC.org or call 561-683-3287.