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Edition 565 - 3
The Boca Raton Tribune
COMMUNITY Boca Helping Hands Struggling to Keep Up with Inflation and Decreased Volunteer Support
Boca Helping Hands is struggling come from our partners and community to keep up with food demand as infla- food drives. The need to purchase food has tion squeezes budgets and their volun- increased significantly in the past year. “Surging food prices and supply chain teer force dwindles. With gas prices continuing to rise, shortages at the grocery issues are affecting all areas of our hunger store, and the cost of commodity goods relief programs. We’re purchasing food to increasing, Boca Helping Hands has seen supplement our supply of donated food, an uptick in demand for their hunger re- and wholesale prices have increased,” said lief services. In addition, many of the Greg Hazle, Executive Director of Boca organization’s regular volunteers are mi- Helping Hands. “With increased prices, our grating back north, and college students clients’ dollar stretches less at the grocery are heading home for the summer, caus- store, so they rely on us more. Unfortunately, that means Boca Helping Hands is buying a volunteer shortage. In April, Boca Helping Hands fed ing more food at the same time that food 10,365 individuals, distributed 7,162 pantry prices are higher.” Supply chain issues, lower inventory, bags of groceries at five Palm Beach County locations, and provided 6,761 hot lunch- and labor shortages have impacted the organization’s hunes. Since December ger relief programs 2021, the organiacross the board. In zation has seen inIn April, Boca Helping addition, as people creases of 18% in flock back north, demand for pantry Hands fed 10,365 the food donations bags and 10% for individuals, distributed are even lower in its to-go hot meals. the summertime. As With inflation 7,162 pantry bags a result, the organiat a four-decade zation encouraghigh, households of groceries at five es residents to host feel the pinch to get Palm Beach County food drives at their by. According to the schools, places of Labor Department’s locations, and worship, or workmost recent conprovided 6,761 hot places. sumer-price index, Another operthe price of food lunches. ational challenge in at grocery stores feeding those in the in March was 10% community is the higher than a year earlier. This has resulted in more people decline in the number of volunteers. In the last two months, the organization has seen needing help to make ends meet. Boca Helping Hands is not excluded a decrease of 20% to its volunteer group from the effects of the current econom- and expects a total decline of 30% by the ic strains. As a result, the organization has beginning of June. BHH is in critical need had to meet the extra demand by purchas- of additional volunteer support at multiple ing food to supplement the donations that service locations and roles.
City of Boca Raton Announces The 2nd Annual Battle of the Bands Finalists to Open the Summer in the City Series The City of Boca Raton’s Summer in the City series kicks off with the 2nd Annual Battle of the Bands Competition on Friday, June 3 at 7 p.m. at the Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real. Finalists in both the Over & Under 20 Years Old categories – with musicians spanning from a 13-yearold vocalist to a 64-year-old guitarist – will take the stage to compete for the $2,500 cash prize in each category. Finalists in the Over 20 categ or y include T he Honey Project, Audio Crisis, Crush Company and Stumble Steady. Under 20 finalists include Maximum Friction, Harmonious Rage, Ripped Jorts and School of Rock Boca Raton Houseband. Concertgoers will also have a chance to vote for their Fan Favorite. “We are amazed by the range and talent displayed by all of those who entered this 2nd annual competition, as well as by the young entrepreneurs participating in the Teen Marketplace,” said Amy Di-
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Norscio, Amphitheater and Community Events Manager for the City of Boca Raton. “We hope this kick-off to our summer series encourages all that anything is possible if you persevere and continue to reach for the stars.” While enjoying the local music scene, guests can also support young entrepreneurs at the Teen Marketplace, featuring upand-coming businesses including KSM Organic Candles, handcrafted eco-friendly candles; Audrey’s Awesome Planters, wooden planters for outdoor vegetable or butterfly gardening; Intuitive Designs Co., handmade crystal jewelry; Sophie-sticated Stitches, plush crochet collectibles; and Music Buddies, a service where high school students provide free music lessons and equipment for foster children. The Summer in the City series continues with free concerts at the Mizner Park Amphitheater through July 29th, starting at 7 p.m.
May 27 - June 2, 2022
