Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach is grateful to the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation for a $22,500 grant awarded in December 2025 to support hunger relief efforts in the Glades communities of Belle Glade and Pahokee.
This generous funding strengthens Catholic Charities’ Hunger Homeless Outreach - homelessness prevention program, which addresses food insecurity among vulnerable families, seniors, farmworkers, and individuals at risk of homelessness in the western communities of Palm Beach County. Services are provided through Catholic Charities’ Pahokee office at the St. Mary’s Center, a central hub for outreach and assistance in the Glades.
Through this support, Catholic Charities provides weekly food pantry distributions, offering fresh produce, proteins, and shelf-stable groceries to individuals and families facing food shortages. On average, the program distributes 174 bags of food each month, helping to feed approximately 970 individuals across the Glades region.
In addition, funding supports the SNAC (Serving Nutrition to Area Children) program, which provides weekend “power meals” to children who rely on school meals during the week. Each month, approximately 145 SNAC meals are distributed to help ensure children do not go hungry when school cafeterias are closed.
Beyond food assistance, Catholic Charities offers case management and resource navigation, helping households apply for SNAP benefits, access healthcare, and secure housing or rental assistance. Partnerships with local churches, schools, and community organizations also allow for seasonal and holiday food distributions, including recent Thanksgiving basket distributions to families in need.
“We are deeply thankful to the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation for its compassion and commitment to families in the Glades,” said Rocio Lopez, Program Director. “This support helps us address both immediate hunger needs and the underlying challenges that contribute to food insecurity in our western communities.”
Catholic Charities is honored to partner with the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation in strengthening food access and promoting stability for families throughout Belle Glade, Pahokee, and the surrounding Glades area.
