FAQ: Boca Helping Hands' Bowling for Bread Event and Backpacks Weekend Meal Program

What is the Bowling for Bread event and what was its purpose?

Bowling for Bread is an annual fundraising event held by Boca Helping Hands on August 24 at Lucky Strike in Boca Raton, with proceeds supporting the organization’s Backpacks weekend meal program for food-insecure students.

Which children’s charities participated in the Bowling for Bread event?

Participating charities included 4KIDS of South Florida, Achievement Centers for Children & Families, Adopt a Family of the Palm Beaches, American Association of Caregiving Youth, Boys & Girls Club of Boca Raton, Family Promise of South Palm Beach County, Fuller Center, HomeSafe, Place of Hope, PROPEL, and Pearl City Cats.

What is the BHH Backpacks program and how long has it been operating?

The BHH Backpacks program provides food-insecure students with non-perishable, easy-to-prepare meals every Friday to ensure they have enough to eat on weekends, and has been operating for 14 years.

How many students did the Backpacks program help during the 2024-25 school year?

During the 2024-25 school year, the program helped over 1,381 students in 15 local schools, providing 36,853 weekend meal boxes and 73,506 snacks to elementary students in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach.

Who were the major sponsors of the Bowling for Bread event?

Major sponsors included the Lee Pearlson Steinberg Foundation (event sponsor for 14 years), Ovation Home Insurance Exchange (For-Profit Chamber Partner), Gary Peters Family Foundation, and Humana Healthy Horizons in Florida.

What is the broader mission of Boca Helping Hands beyond the Backpacks program?

Boca Helping Hands provides food, medical, and financial assistance to help individuals and families improve their quality of life and build financial stability, assisting nearly 35,000 people annually through various programs.

How can someone get more information or contact Boca Helping Hands?

For more information, visit BocaHelpingHands.org or contact Karen Swedenborg at 561-417-0913, ext. 202, or via email at [email protected].

What recognition and accreditations does Boca Helping Hands hold?

BHH holds accreditation for Sound Nonprofit Management from Nonprofits First, has a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid/GuideStar, and has been a Charity Navigator Four-Star Charity for 17 consecutive years.