RIVIERA BEACH - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach has been a constant source of crisis relief for the diocese’s five-county area during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like its surrounding neighborhood of Riviera Beach, the organization is always evolving and striving to meet the community where it is.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach’s monthly food giveaway, which occurs on second Tuesdays at the St. Francis Center in Riviera Beach, was an initial response to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The food giveaway typically distributes dry goods, canned goods and other non-perishables to anyone in need of food assistance.
Although appreciated and a great comfort to those in need, it can be difficult to create well-balanced meals with these food items. That’s why Sara Haas, volunteer services and outreach coordinator for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach, set out to partner with local nonprofit, Eat Better Live Better, as a way to include fresh produce in the food giveaway’s offerings.
“Included in the groceries given out today are carrots, cucumbers, bananas, potatoes and onions,” Haas said. “The way we’ve packaged the food is so that there is a little bit of everything included and it can last for a week or so of meals.”
Eat Better Live Better, based in Delray Beach, is focused on improving child health by providing the skills and tools children need to create and maintain a lifelong habit of healthy eating. A variety of offline and online nutrition education delivery models and training programs are offered in collaboration with academic, community and health centers across the United States. Debra Tendrich, founder, was onsite at the St. Francis Center to deliver a van full of fresh groceries.
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