Photo by CAPEHART
The Palm Beach County Food Bank has moved to a new, fully funded facility with the help of a $500,000 donation from part-time Palm Beach residents Stephen and Christine Schwarzman.
The gift closed out the organization’s $3 million “Grow with Us” capital campaign, which supports the Palm Beach County nonprofit’s move into the new warehouse and distribution facility, doubling its capacity to serve the community.
“We are exceedingly grateful for the Schwarzmans’ generosity,” says Jim Greco, interim CEO of the Palm Beach County Food Bank. “Their gift underscores the importance of donations from private individuals and organizations. This new warehouse space doubles our capacity for distribution and will make it possible to meet our county’s increased need for food distribution due to the pandemic and into the future.”
Stephen Schwarzman, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Blackstone, says, “Christine and I are honored to support the Palm Beach County Food Bank and help ensure that this transformational new facility is fully operational as soon as possible. The COVID-19 crisis has put a greater spotlight on the issue of food insecurity across the country and I’m pleased that this gift will help Jim and his team double their capacity to support local families in need.”
Historically, the Palm Beach County Food Bank provided access to nutritious food for more than 180,000 Palm Beach County residents every month. Since COVID-19, the demand for the food bank’s services has tripled.
“The pandemic has exposed just how easy it is for people to become food insecure,” says Greco.
“Gifts like this restore dignity to families who never expected they would need the help of a food bank.”
For more information, call 561-670-2518 or visit pbcfoodbank.org.