A $1.6 million donation will enable the “Food for Kids” weekend program to provide an additional 1.5 million meals to students and families in the School District of Palm Beach County. The million-dollar donation was courtesy of part-time Palm Beach residents Stephen and Christin Schwarzman, who cited the positive influence the Palm Beach County Food Bank’s program has on local students.
“We’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact of the Palm Beach County Food Bank and are pleased to help expand this important program for schoolchildren and their families,” says Stephen Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO, and Co-founder of Blackstone, an investment management company. “I believe that education is the passport to a better life, and I would not be where I am today without my own public school education. But students can only experience these benefits if basic needs like access to nutritional meals are met.”
The recent donation was an addition to the $500,000 the Schwarzman’s already donated to the food bank to help expand its warehouse and distribution center. Over 12 schools in the county participate in the food bank’s “Lois’ Food 4 Kids” program, which was established by a $1 million donation from philanthropist Lois Pope in April 2020.
With the total donations reaching nearly $3 million, the food bank’s goal of providing free meals to every school in the county is within reach.
“We are grateful to Stephen and Christine for their generosity, and we hope other members of our community are able to support our efforts so we can provide this service to every student in need. This gift highlights the impact that private donations can have on charitable organizations, especially during a time of tight government budgets,” says James Greco, Vice-Chair of the Palm Beach County Food Bank.
For more information, visit pbcfoodbank.org.
