Thanks to the generosity of the Pan-Florida Challenge(PFC) a Naples-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on a mission to end childhood hunger one meal at a time, Belle Glade, Loula V. York (Pahokee), and Clarence E. Anthony (South Bay) branches now hand out free family weekend meal kits to children under 18 every Friday!
The purpose of the PFC Family Weekend Backpack Program is to fill the 68-hour hunger gap from Friday afternoon to Monday morning when children return to school. The PFC Family Weekend Backpack Meals are carefully constructed to include nutritional offerings to feed children over the weekend who have little or no access to nutritional food in the home. The PFC Family Weekend Backpack Meals contain an average of 29 nutritious, shelf-stable meal servings for the whole family that meet or exceed the USDA recommendations for protein, calories and carbohydrates for elementary-aged children. Rotating between four nutritious menus, the PFC Family Weekend Backpack Program is paired with an additional supplemental family extender meal that is easy to prepare and fortified in nutrition for the child to share with the whole family.
How does it work? Children can visit the children's area of any of the three branches on Fridays during open hours. Simply ask for a weekend family meal, and it's yours to take home!
We are proud to partner with organizations such as the Pan-Florida Challenge to realize our mission to connect communities, inspire thought, and enrich lives. We hope that through this partnership, we can grow the next generation of leaders by feeding children's minds and bodies!
Participating locations:
Belle Glade Branch, opens a new window
