As some Palm Beach County public schools transition from universal free school meals to an application-based system for the 2026-27 school year, Boca Helping Hands is reminding families that its KidsPack Weekend Meal Program will continue to provide free supplemental food to children who need it at 15 local elementary schools, including underserved public school students in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth and Delray Beach.
The change affects schools that no longer qualify for the federal Community Eligibility Provision, meaning families at those schools must now apply and meet income guidelines for their children to receive free or reduced-price breakfasts and lunches.
For more than 15 years, Boca Helping Hands has partnered with local elementary schools to help address childhood hunger through its KidsPack Weekend Meal Program. The program currently serves students in 15 Palm Beach County schools, providing nutritious, easy-to-prepare food to take home each weekend when school meals are unavailable.
Unlike school meal programs, KidsPack has no income requirements or application process. Any student identified by participating schools as benefiting from the program can receive weekend meals.
Each year, Boca Helping Hands invests more than $500,000 in the KidsPack Weekend Meal Program, made possible entirely through the generosity of donors, foundations, businesses and community partners.
“Boca Helping Hands has been a partner with local schools for more than 15 years, providing supplemental food assistance to elementary students through our KidsPack Weekend Meal Program,” CEO Andrew Hagen said. “We will continue to stand with our schools and families as these changes take effect, and we hope our program can help make up for any loss of weekday school meals.”
Hagen also encouraged families to complete the school meal application if their child’s school now requires one.
“We encourage every eligible family to apply for free or reduced-price school meals,” Hagen said. “School breakfast and lunch remain the first line of defense against childhood hunger.”
Boca Helping Hands serves more than 35,000 Palm Beach County residents each year through food assistance and workforce development programs. Learn more at www.bocahelpinghands.org.
