Feeding Families: Turkey Trotters provide Thanksgiving meals to Palm Beach County residents in need

Thousands of Palm Beach County residents struggle to put food on their tables each night, making a Thanksgiving meal an even harder challenge. Some don’t even have a place where they can go to enjoy a Thanksgiving celebration.

The Town of Palm Beach United Way Turkey Trot helps change that. Now in its 9th year, the annual race provides a Thanksgiving meal to more than 3,200 local residents.

This year, Town of Palm Beach United Way was able to send checks to 20 health and human service agencies that provide Thanksgiving meals to clients in need. Some agencies, such as Adopt-A-Family, pack baskets to deliver to families, while others, such as The Lord’s Place, host memorable Thanksgiving feasts.

At Seagull Academy, 235 students and assisted living residents develop and prepare their meal as part of a daily living skills class.

“On behalf of the clients and the staff at Seagull Services, we thank you and all of the runners, joggers and walkers in the Turkey Trot who ensure that all of our students and other program participants have a nice Thanksgiving meal,” Barbara Nurenberg, President and CEO of Seagull Services, wrote in a letter to the Town of Palm Beach United Way. “Many of us take a Thanksgiving celebration with family or friends for granted. For most of the people we serve, it’s not a given, thus your thoughtfulness is especially meaningful.”

On Thanksgiving morning, 1,300 runners are expected to participate in this year’s 5K race. The event is rain or shine, and starts and ends in Bradley Park in Palm Beach. The event also includes a Gobble Wobble Obstacle Course for children, raffle, Instagram costume contest and more. All participants receive medals and top male and female finishers in their age categories receive trophies, plus the top overall male and female finisher.

Title sponsors, contributing $10,000, are Douglas Elliman Real Estate: Cara Coniglio McClure + Lisa Wilkinson, Findlay Galleries International and Livingston Builders.

Gold sponsors, who gave $2,500, are C.R. Wilson Construction, Christian Angle Real Estate and Hall Real Estate.

The race also received 15 silver sponsors ($1,000), two bronze sponsors ($500) and 47 in-kind donors.

Here’s a full list of the agencies and clients who benefit from these donations:

• Achievement Centers for Children & Families: Serves a traditional Haitian celebratory dish to 382 students and their families at Pine Grove Elementary.
• Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches: Delivers baskets filled with turkey and sides to 150 families.
• Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service: Provides baskets of ingredients for 80 families.
• The Arc of The Glades: Serves a holiday meal at the agency for 32 clients and 28 caregivers.
• Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse: Shops for food and provides ingredients to 80 women.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County: Hosts a Thanksgiving meal at three clubs, serving 1,200 students and their families.

“Countless kids in Palm Beach County spend summers, holidays and after school home alone while their parents work or look for work, but not the kids who come to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County,” said Jaene Miranda, President and CEO. “Thank you for your support of the children during the holidays. It means a lot!”

• El Sol, Jupiter’s Neighborhood Resource Center: Provides a turkey basket for 50 families.

“We are overwhelmed and grateful for the generosity and kindness of so many who will ensure that the day is both a festive event enjoyed by all who attend, and a resounding success,” said Jocelyn Skolnik, Executive Director. “It is a testament to what can be accomplished when good people come together to make a difference.”

• Families First of Palm Beach County: Distributes food bags to 165 families.

“Your financial contribution is much needed and appreciated, especially at a time when so many families in our community have been affected by this year’s weather-related events,” said Julie Swindler, CEO. “It is because of gifts and support from friends like you that we are able to continue our work in Palm Beach County.”

• Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County: Purchases Thanksgiving food items for 125 clients.
• Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies of Palm Beach County: Provides an infant pack to 180 children ages 6 to 12 months old.
• HomeSafe: Serves a Thanksgiving dinner to 60 clients.
• The Lord’s Place: Hosts a Thanksgiving celebration for 250 residents.

“Your gift to The Lord’s Place Thanksgiving dinner truly changes lives and helps those who need it most,” said Diana Stanley, CEO. “We are so grateful.”

• Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches: Delivers Thanksgiving dinner to 100 individuals.
• Milagro Center: Prepares dinner at the agency for 100 children and teenagers.

“Each one of the students we serve here will be touched by this generosity,” said Barbara Stark, President and CEO. “Our Thanksgiving Feast will be wonderful for our Milagro children and teens thanks to you.”

• Opportunity Early Childhood Education & Family Center: Sends turkey and fixin’s home with 86 families.

“Because of your kind generosity, Opportunity can provide families with turkeys and groceries for a healthy Thanksgiving dinner,” said Alice Eger, Executive Director. “Ninety-one percent of our families qualify for free or reduced food. This meal will ensure nutrition during the holiday when school is closed and allow each family to have a special time together.”

 

 

 

• Palm Beach Habilitation Center: Hosts a meal and carnival for 250 clients with disabilities.

“On behalf of our appreciative clients, I would like to thank you and those who will be participating in the Annual Turkey Trot,” said Jacqueline Nicholson, Director of Development. “This donation will make our Annual Thanksgiving Day feast a most delicious and memorable day for all. We all send our best to the staff and volunteers and all those involved that make our lives so much better each year through their generosity.”

• Community Partners: Provides a food bag to 100 residents.
• Seagull Services: Helps students and residents with disabilities develop and prepare 235 meals for each other and staff.
• Take Stock in Children: Provides turkey, sides and dessert to 40 students and their families.
• Urban Youth Impact: Serves a Thanksgiving meal to 200 students and parents.