As the federal government shutdown continues, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may expire on October 31, leaving millions of Floridians at risk of losing their food assistance. In response, Boca Helping Hands, a nonprofit providing food, medical, and financial aid, is mobilizing to fill the gap and is offering pantry bags to local federal employees affected by the shutdown. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 7,100 federal workers reside in Palm Beach County.
“Come November 1, families who count on SNAP may find their benefits cut off, with devastating impact. Cuts to SNAP will disproportionately impact children, seniors and veterans, and our clientele have expressed deep concern,” said Dr. Andrew Hagen, Executive Director of Boca Helping Hands. “With our distribution centers, warehouses and refrigerated trucks, we have the infrastructure to fill the gap to ensure that these vulnerable populations do not go hungry. However, we are looking to the community to donate food that will quickly be distributed. Food drives from businesses, schools, places of worship, and other groups are most welcome.”
According to the Florida Policy Institute, 2.9 million Floridians participate in SNAP, with average benefits of $6.12 per day. Children make up 41 percent of SNAP’s caseload, seniors 25 percent, and 99,000 veterans participate in the program. The Palm Beach County Food Bank reports that more than 173,000 residents in the county are food insecure, including one in five children.
Through its various programs, Boca Helping Hands assists nearly 35,000 people annually. Distributing food from five distribution centers, the organization provides each year approximately 112,000 pantry bags and over 73,000 hot meals served and delivered. It also offers job training aimed at helping individuals escape poverty.
The potential SNAP cutoff adds urgency to the organization’s mission. For federal workers impacted by the shutdown, Boca Helping Hands is providing pantry bags to help them through the period without pay. The nonprofit’s ability to quickly distribute donated food is critical, as it relies on community support to meet the increased demand.
Boca Helping Hands, founded in 1998, has grown from a soup kitchen into a comprehensive support network. In 2024, it served over 64,000 hot meals and distributed more than 112,000 pantry bags across Palm Beach County. Its Backpacks Program sends weekend meals home with students at 15 local schools. The organization also provides emergency assistance for rent, utilities, and childcare, and partners with Genesis Community Health to offer affordable healthcare.
To donate food, businesses, schools, and other groups are encouraged to organize food drives. For more information, visit BocaHelpingHands.org.
