Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County Raise the Most Funds During GREAT GIVE PBC
To Expand Mealtime Programs in Local Clubs
West Palm Beach, FL (May 12, 2014) – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County (BGCPBC) raised over $51,000 on May 6, 2014 during the GREAT GIVE PBC, the most money raised by any participating nonprofit in both Palm Beach and Martin County. The GREAT GIVE PBC is a 24-hour online giving event designed to raise as much money as possible for hundreds of local nonprofits in a single day, hosted by The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties and United Way of Palm Beach County.
In addition to its $51,120 monies raised, the BGCPBC won the “Dinner Hour Prize” of $1,000 and more than $16,000 in the GREAT GIVE PBC Bonus Pools, totally over $68,000.
The Boys & Girls Clubs fundraising goal for the GREAT GIVE PBC was to raise $40,000 or more to help feed its Club children snacks and dinner each night of the week. Currently, BGCPBC offers mealtime programs in six of its thirteen Clubs and served over 78,900 meals in 2014. Food costs alone for just a single Club total $100,000 annually, not including staff time or labor.
70% of Palm Beach County Boys & Girls Club kids receive free-lunches at school, and 70% of Club kids come from families with annual incomes below $20,000. The dinner that a child receives at the Boys & Girls Clubs might be the only meal they are guaranteed until they go to school the next day.
“We are thrilled with the results of participating in the GREAT GIVE PBC in its first year,” said Jaene Miranda, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. “These funds will assist in supporting our school day mealtime program in our Clubs. Our ultimate goal is to serve a nutritious dinner to all our children in every Club each day. We’ve already served over 78,960 meals just this year. We look forward to participating in the GREAT GIVE PBC next year and surpassing our fundraising goals – yet again – to help serve our children in need.”
About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County
Founded in 1971, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County is a not-for profit youth development organization dedicated to promoting the educational, vocational, health leadership and character of boys and girls in a safe, nurturing environment. The Clubs provide more than a safe, fun and constructive alternative to being home alone – they offer a variety of award-winning developmental programs to help youth build skills, self-esteem and values during critical periods of growth. The thirteen Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Palm Beach County serve more than 6,000 children ages 6-18. For more information, please visit www.bgcpbc.org or call 561-683-3287.
About the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties is one of Florida’s largest community foundations. The nonprofit organization has invested more than $100 million in grants and scholarships over its 40 year history. At its core, the Community Foundation is an organization created with gifts from generous people committed to local causes. For donors, the Foundation serves as a philanthropic advisor. For the community, the Foundation serves as a grant maker and a civic leader. Through the support of its donors and fundholders, the Foundation has been able to address some of the community’s most pressing needs, including hunger, housing and education. For more information, visit www.yourcommunityfoundation.org.
About the United Way of Palm Beach County:
For more than 80 years, United Way of Palm Beach County has been dedicated to improving lives and advancing the common good in our community. Funded by the generosity of donors and volunteers, United Way strategically invests in crucial efforts and programs that support the building blocks for a good life education, financial stability and health. We work on a local level to help provide lasting solutions to the root causes of our county’s social issues, from promoting access to education and healthcare to ending hunger and homelessness. To learn more on how to GIVE, ADVOCATE or VOLUNTEER for the United Way, call 561.375.6600 or visit www.UnitedWayPBC.org
