Palm Beach County Food Bank sets biggest goal yet with 300,000-meal packing event at Kravis

The Palm Beach County Food Bank (PBCFB) and Kravis Center for the Performing Arts are calling on the community to roll up their sleeves on Tuesday, Sept. 15, for the third annual 'Kravis Center's Pack to Give Back,' an ambitious effort to pack 300,000 meals in a single day for local neighbors facing hunger. Held in recognition of Hunger Action Day, the event will transform the Kravis Center's Gimelstob Ballroom into a high-energy meal-packing operation, with volunteers working side by side to help meet a growing need across Palm Beach County. With approximately 192,000 food-insecure residents throughout Palm Beach County, the PBCFB procures food from grocery stores, farmers, food distributors, wholesalers and other sources and distributes it to over 200 local community partners, including food pantries, soup kitchens and schools. During its 2026 fiscal year, PBCFB distributed over 11.9 million meals to over 197,000 residents experiencing hunger. The Food Bank has been honored with several accolades, including the Chamber of the Palm Beaches Health and Human Services Organization of the Year and the Community Collaborator Award at the 8th Annual Nonprofits First Hats Off Awards. 'As a community gathering place, the Kravis Center is proud to once again open our doors for Pack to Give Back and bring people together around such an important cause,' says Diane Quinn, CEO of the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. 'There is something incredibly powerful about seeing hundreds of people working side by side toward one goal, and this event demonstrates the impact we can make when we each give a little of our time to help our neighbors.' Pack to Give Back has continued to grow since its launch, with approximately 1,000 volunteers coming together last year to exceed the event's goal of packing 200,000 meals. This year's 300,000-meal goal represents a 50% increase and an opportunity to make an even greater impact for local families. 'We are incredibly grateful to the Kravis Center for its continued partnership and for helping us bring the community together in such a meaningful way,' says Jamie Kendall, CEO of the Palm Beach County Food Bank. 'As families across Palm Beach County continue to feel the strain of rising costs for essentials like groceries, healthcare and housing, the need for food assistance remains significant. Increasing our goal to 300,000 meals will help us reach even more neighbors who are working hard to make ends meet.' Volunteers are also encouraged to bring a jar or two of peanut butter or nut butter to the Kravis Center for PBCFB's Hunger Action Day Peanut Butter Food Drive, providing another way to help stock shelves for local families. For more, visit pbcfoodbank.org/kravis-giveback. About the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is a nonprofit organization and one of South Florida's premier cultural destinations, located in downtown West Palm Beach. Since 1992, the Kravis Center has presented the finest in live entertainment, showcasing internationally acclaimed artists in music, comedy, dance, Broadway, and more. As part of its nonprofit mission, the Kravis Center has welcomed millions of students to its comprehensive arts education programs. Students of all ages can participate in workshops, classes, and special events, as well as access free and reduced-price tickets for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience live performances.