BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Boca Helping Hands is launching its 21st annual Thanksgiving Box Brigade, asking the community for support to provide holiday meals to thousands of local families. The organization aims to distribute a turkey and a box filled with traditional holiday ingredients to feed as many as 24,000 people.
The call for donations comes as many residents face increasing financial pressure. According to organization officials, one in nine people in Palm Beach County are struggling to put food on the table. A 2024 report on financial hardship found that 46% of county households struggled to make ends meet, citing rising food costs, housing expenses, and stagnant wages.
Community members can fund a complete meal box for a family by donating $29.72. The program is also supported by several key sponsors, including Overall Sponsor Dalfen Industrial. “We recognize the difficulties many families are experiencing, and my wife, Anita and I are proud to once again support the Thanksgiving Box Brigade this year,” said east Boca Raton sponsor Bob Kriensky. Other major supporters include Humana, Purity Wholesale Grocers Inc., Vertical Bridge Charitable Network, and Avalon Bay Communities.
The turkeys and meal boxes will be distributed to current clients of the organization’s Pantry Bag Program during the weekend before Thanksgiving. The drive-thru distributions are scheduled for Nov. 22 and 23 at five locations serving east Boca Raton, west Boca, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and Lake Worth.
“We are deeply appreciative of the way that the community helps each year with their food drives and Thanksgiving box donations,” said Andrew Hagen, Executive Director of Boca Helping Hands. “Thanks to them, families who might not have had enough money to afford to celebrate can now share a holiday meal together.”
Officials added that while the Thanksgiving drive is crucial, food insecurity remains a year-round problem, and any contributions exceeding the holiday’s expenses will support an ongoing need. Learn more and help out here.
