Boca Publix Totals 500,000 Pounds of Food Donations to Boca Helping Hands

By: Michael Demyan

Boca Helping Hands Executive Director James S. Gavrilos, Vice President of the Board Dr. Eric H. Shaw, Publix store manager Marc Taubenkimel, Publix Media and Community Relations Manager Nicole Krauss and City Commissioner Robert S. Weinroth. Images courtesy Boca Helping Hands

In 2011, local Publix Super Markets joined forces with Boca Helping Hands to donate food for those in need. Now six years later, one Publix has reached 500,000 pounds of food donations.

Every Monday and Thursday, a truck from Boca Helping Hands departs to collect food nearing the “best sell by” date from nine store locations. In total, that truck has made 562 stops at the Publix on Powerline and Palmetto.

The milestone was reached on Monday, June 12 and as the truck made its final stop at the warehouse, representatives from Boca Helping Hands and Publix were there to celebrate the accomplishment. Different types of food ranging from dry goods to produce to baked goods were placed on the scale by Director of Food and Warehouse Operations Bill Harper for the official weigh in.

As that day’s 51 pound donation surpassed 500,000 pounds of total donations from Publix #1361, store manager Marc Taubenkimel released numerous white and green balloons in celebration.

“The commitment of the entire Publix Super Markets family to the local community is well-documented,” Boca Helping Hands Executive Director James S. Gavrilos said.  “Whether funding local charities, donating food, or volunteering, Publix employees are making a difference right here in Boca Raton and the surrounding area.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average meal is 1.2 pounds, so the 500,000 pounds of food donated translates to more than 416,000 meals for those in need across the six years the program has been active.

“I have no words to express our thanks at their reaching this milestone,” Gavrilos said.

Boca Helping Hands has been a strong part of feeding those in need in Boca Raton since they started serving the community in 1998. They have been named a four star charity for 11 consecutive years and were named one of the Perfect 100 Charities in 2016.

After starting out by serving three meals per week, they are now open six days per week, while also delivering food to the elderly and disabled.

Now after 500,000 pounds of food have been donated, Publix #1361 and Boca Helping Hands will be looking forward to reaching their next milestone.