LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. — A Lake Worth Beach food distribution site is experiencing its largest surge in demand in five years, with more than 540 families now seeking weekly assistance compared to the typical 350 to 400 families, according to Boca Helping Hands officials.
WATCH BELOW: 'The biggest reason people need food is they're seniors,' CEO Andrew Hagen tells WPTV's Joel Lopez
The nonprofit organization contacted WPTV to report the dramatic increase at their Proclaim Church distribution site on Lantana Road, where volunteers say they're seeing new faces every week including families, seniors and unhoused residents struggling to afford food.
"People are really in need of food right now," said Harris Freedman, a three-year volunteer with Boca Helping Hands who helps pack hot meals at the organization's Boca Raton headquarters.
Why Food Demand Matters Now
The surge comes as South Florida families face rising food costs and changes to federal assistance programs that are pushing more residents toward local food pantries for help.
Andrew Hagen, CEO of Boca Helping Hands, said the increase represents the biggest spike the nonprofit has recorded at the Lake Worth Beach location in five years.
"This increase probably is trending but it just like popped and I don't think it's going to be going down from there," Hagen told WPTV.
Seniors Hit Hardest by Food Insecurity
Hagen said seniors on fixed incomes represent the largest group seeking assistance at the Lake Worth Beach site.
"The biggest reason people need food is they're seniors, they're running out of social security by the end of the month. Prices of food have skyrocketed, rent," Hagen said.
Changes to SNAP qualification requirements are also affecting many Palm Beach County families' food budgets, according to Hagen.
"Unfortunately they are falling off the program and needing us even more," he said. "We don't just bring food we bring hope. We want people to know we are doing what we can."
Growing Organization Serves Thousands
What started as a modest soup kitchen in 1998 has grown into one of South Florida's largest nonprofit service providers, now serving more than 40,000 individuals annually through food assistance and other support services.
Boca Helping Hands distributed more than 3.5 million meals in 2025 through pantry bags and hot meal services across five distribution sites in Palm Beach County, according to the organization.
"By offering a wide range of services under one roof, we focus on supporting the 'whole person,' addressing the needs of individuals, children, and families, many of whom are employed but still struggle to make ends meet," the organization said in a statement to WPTV.
Volunteers See Changing Demographics
Freedman, who volunteers at the organization's Boca Raton headquarters where hot meals are prepared for Lake Worth Beach distribution, said the faces in line continue to change.
"Some people are on bicycles, new faces, homeless folks, families that are trying to make it," Freedman said while packing food trays.
Photos from Boca Helping Hands' November distribution at Proclaim Church show long lines of families waiting for assistance, illustrating the growing demand at the Lake Worth Beach site.
Weekend Distribution Planned
To meet the increased need, Boca Helping Hands plans to bring additional food to its upcoming distribution events this weekend at Proclaim Church in Lake Worth Beach off Lantana Road on Friday and Saturday.
The nonprofit's food assistance programs include hot meals open to anyone in need, along with pantry bag distributions for qualifying families and individuals.
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