September is Hunger Action Month, an initiative organized by Feeding America, and other local organizations working with food insecurity have their own events planned for the rest of the month—and beyond. There’s a great need, too, as more than 192,000 Palm Beach County residents, 50,000 of which are children, face hunger, according to nonprofit United Way.
Outrun Hunger 5K
In honor of Hunger Action Month, Feeding South Florida is hosting its annual Outrun Hunger 5K this Saturday, Sept. 20 at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach. To add to the fun, Noura Salman, a finalist from “Survivor” season 39, is serving as MC for the event. Check in is at 6:30 a.m. and the walk/run begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by an awards ceremony at 8:30 a.m. feedingsouthflorida.org/5kpbc
Tackle Hunger
Cheer on the FAU Owls and help out a local food bank at the same time! On Sept. 27 during the home game against the Memphis Tigers, Boca Helping Hands will have a tent set up near Gate 1—for every box of cereal fans bring, they will receive one ticket to the game. The initiative is spearheaded by Cereal4All, a local nonprofit founded by Boca Raton 16-year-old twins Luke and Jett Justin. fausports.com
Junior League of Boca Raton Food Drive
Back in June, Boca Helping Hands announced that its food budget for 2025 had run out, and the community has stepped up to fill the gap. That includes the Junior League of Boca Raton, which is hosting a food drive through Sept. 30. So far, they have collected just over 1,500 pounds of food. The public is encouraged to drop off nonperishable foods from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Vegso Community Resource Center, 261 N.W. 13th St. in Boca Raton. jlbr.org
WayFM Fundraiser
Christian radio station WayFM is organizing a fundraiser to benefit the Palm Beach County Food Bank, with every $1 raised going toward five meals. All dollars raised will stay local, so you know you’ll be making a direct impact in your own community. Last year, WayFM’s national fundraiser generated enough money for 13 million meals! pbcfoodbank.org/way-fm
Hustle to End Hunger 5K
CROS Ministries is hosting this 5K on Oct. 4 at John Prince Park in Lake Worth Beach. Participants can take part in a 5K walk or run, and little ones are invited to be a part of the Lil’ Hustle, a 100-yard kids dash. All proceeds will benefit CROS Ministries’ hunger programs. runsignup.com
SNAP Challenge
Gain a deeper understanding of what it’s like to rely on SNAP benefits. The United Way of Palm Beach County encourages the public to take the SNAP Challenge and limit themselves to a daily food budget of $6. You can also make monetary or food donations to food banks throughout Palm Beach County; the United Way has created a map here.
