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Boca Raton non-profit needs help to deliver food to families in need

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Posted at 4:20 PM, Sep 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-20 10:02:07-04

BOCA RATON, Fla. — A non-profit organization in Boca Raton is asking for your help after losing one its most important assets.

At Boca Helping Hands, it was all hands on deck Thursday.

"We service 10 local elementary schools, and somewhere around 1,200 kids are relying on us to deliver food for them to take home over the weekend," said Gregory Hazle, the Executive Director of Boca Helping Hands.

From canned to fresh food, this non-profit focuses on feeding those who need it most.

"Last year we recovered over $2 million pounds of food for the first time in our history," said Bill Harper, the Director of Food and Warehouse Operations.

But recently, their operation hit a road block.

"With the loss of our 24-foot truck, we actually have to greatly reduce the number of bags we can carry to our distribution site," said Harper.

The delivery truck they call 'Grandpa' broke down.

"It was the oldest in the fleet," said Harper. "After 300,000 miles, its age caught up with it. It’s a 25-year-old vehicle made in Japan. The parts are no longer available."

But the broken down truck isn’t breaking spirits at Boca Helping Hands. They’re hoping their loss will inspire the community to give them a jump start.

"My hope is that we get to replace our truck with a new truck and that’s how people can help," said Hazle.

If you would like to help Boca Helping Hands get a new truck, click here.