On Saturday, Sept. 9, Boca Helping Hands, in collaboration with Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Athletics and Cereal4All for the third year in a row, commemorated September’s Hunger Action Month by hosting a Tackle Hunger Cereal Drive at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton. Those who donated one or more unopened cereal boxes prior to the Florida Atlantic vs. Ohio football game’s 6 p.m. kickoff got into the game for free, with all donations going to BHH’s Pantry Bag clients. Food drive participants donated 738 boxes of cereal, equating to 7,380 bowls and 812 pounds of food – more than double last year’s total.
“We were so pleased that so many people came out from the community to donate cereal – especially with some rain showers leading up to the game,” said Greg Hazle, Executive Director of Boca Helping Hands. “Cereal is one of the least donated items to food banks across the country, which means underserved kids and families do not always get to start their day with a nutritious breakfast.”
Cereal4All was started by 15-year-old twin brothers Jett and Luke Justin of Boca Raton when they were just eight years old. After volunteering at Boca Helping Hands with their parents, Jett and Luke organized their first cereal drive for BHH at their elementary school in 2016. Over the last seven years, the boys have expanded the program to 15 schools in Palm Beach County as well as to schools in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Nevada, New York, and Washington to benefit their own local food banks.
“The reason Cereal4all is successful is because most other students feel the same way we do about cereal,” Jett Justin said. “It gets them thinking about the happiness and hunger needs of others in a more personal way.”
About Boca Helping Hands
Now in its 25th year of operation, Boca Helping Hands (BHH) is a community-based nonprofit that provides food, medical and financial assistance to meet basic human needs as well as education, job training and guidance to create self-sufficiency. Through its various programs, BHH assists nearly 35,000 people annually.
Boca Helping Hands is a partner agency of The Town of Palm Beach United Way. Since 1945, the Town of Palm Beach United Way has been committed to improving lives and building strong communities throughout Palm Beach County by focusing on programs and priorities that promote education, health, and financial stability.
Boca Helping Hands holds accreditation for Sound Nonprofit Management from Nonprofits First, has a 2022 Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid/GuideStar, and was named a Four-Star Charity by Charity Navigator for the 16th consecutive year in 2022. Boca Helping Hands is located at 1500 NW 1st Court, Boca Raton, FL 33432. For more information, please visit BocaHelpingHands.org.
