Kindness Matters: Highlighting Local Heroes in The Palm Beaches
There’s no better time than the present to show your community how much you care.
During the past week, we’ve seen an outpouring of community initiatives that help to highlight the beauty of The Palm Beaches and its locals. From community influencers, restaurateurs and designers, we shine the light on some of those who have taken proactive measures to help their neighbors and those in need during this difficult time. At a time like this, nothing has ever made us feel more grateful for modern technology and the platform to share some of our favorite “feel good” findings with you.
Here, we’ve brought you some local stories and initiatives to help brighten your day, inspire you, and share why we’re proud to be members of The Palm Beaches community!
Local Acts of Kindness
Hospitality Helping Hands (H3)
Rodney Mayo, a West Palm Beach resident and owner of Subculture Group, which owns 17 restaurants and bars, started Hospitality Helping Hands (H3) after having to lay-off 650 employees due to COVID-19’s impact on his businesses. The not-for-profit was initially designed to serve free meals to laid-off hospitality workers; however, it has expanded to hospitality workers, their families, local charities, and others in need due to the Coronavirus shutdown. Within the first three days, 5,000 meals were served. After one week, 16,000 meals have been served to a community whose second-leading economic driver is tourism/hospitality. Should you like to make a contribution or need this service, simply click here to learn more. H3 is open between 1 to 6 p.m. seven days a week.
Eat Palm Beach: #SavePalmBeachFood/#SavePBFood
Local foodie and food blogger, Cristyle Egitto, started a fundraiser in response to the effects local restaurants are experiencing. The fundraiser, called #SavePalmBeachFood, aims to raise funds to purchase gift cards from Palm Beach County restaurants, catering and food-related businesses, to help supplement business revenues and encourage social distancing. The gift cards are then used to purchase meals that are served to first responders, nurses and doctors, as well as families in need.
On a regular basis Steel Tie Spirits is a family-owned craft distillery making vodka and rum. But these days things are looking a bit different for their team. The team has switched from spirit making to making hand sanitizer to service the needs of the community. They sold out their first batches but still have hand sanitizer available for First Responders. Check their Facebook page for operating hours and pick up times or call 561-623-0961.
Cultural Council of The Palm Beaches: Artist Relief Fund
Understanding the impact that this has had on local artists during this time, the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County has started a fund to help support local creative professionals. Support the arts community by donating to the cause via Facebook or their website or consider one of the other ways you can help out. For example, one can hire a musician to record personalized song to a loved one on their birthday. Also, available on their site is a listing of virtual cultural offerings.
Delivery Dudes: Dude’s Bodega
Recently launched, this new branch of the community business is doing its part to help encourage social distancing by prioritizing the needs of seniors and those most vulnerable who may not feel like venturing out to pharmacies and grocery stores. The new business helps run errands for customers such as their grocery and pharmacy needs, while taking measures to ensure that their staff is healthy before running errands. These measures include health checks via an infrared thermometer before every shift.
Local Palm Beach County-based designer Amanda Perna is determined to help as many individuals as possible by donating fabrics along with partner Melly M. and by employing their seamstresses to sew protective masks for the community instead of fashion wear. The masks were designed under the guidance of medical professionals utilizing an existing pattern for cotton masks lined with two layers of non-woven interfacing to help filter contaminants. When one mask is purchases, a mask will be donated to those on the front lines. Though the masks aren’t FDA approved, they are meant to reduce person-to-person transmission. You are also able to donate to the cause as well.
Boca Raton Marriott
The hotel has extended a sleeping room rate of $99 to all Florida Atlantic University and Lynn University students and their families, as well as a $99 Florida Resident Rate for others in need. Booking can be completed online using the promo code FR6 or by calling (561) 392-4600.
Libby Vision, Culinary Photographer
With a home studio centrally located in West Palm Beach, Libby Vision is offering complimentary photography of take-out menu items to support to local restaurants in need.
Renny & Reed at The Royal Poinciana Plaza
After the cancellation of a local gala, the Palm Beach florist decided to put the event’s flowers toward a good cause – handing out bouquets to passersby and accepting donations for Jupiter-based Scripps Research Institute to help fund its research for a COVID-19 cure.
Rooster’s
Local LGBTQ+ icon is dipping into its emergency funds to support other small businesses as well as its employees, offering them the opportunity to continue working by painting and other projects around the bar.
Feeding South Florida
Launched a weekly drive-through style grocery distribution at various locations throughout The Palm Beaches. Teaming up with food donors, local restaurants and restaurateurs, the organization has helped to serve more than 800 families and 32,000 meals. These meal distributions, which include eggs, protein, milk, produce and essential goods, are on-going and are being held every Monday through June 1, 2020 at several selected areas and other parts of Southeast Florida. The items can feed a family of four for most lunches as well as dinners during the week and are free to families in need on a first-come, first serve basis.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County
Expanded its free food programs during this time. Now offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks seven days a week to all children under the age of 18. More than 30,000 free meals are now provided weekly across Palm Beach County in cooperation with the Juvenile Transition Center. The free meals are picked up by parents via drive-thru style distribution at specified club locations. The organization, which has also partnered with Fresh RX Kids has also started a separate weekly food program “Farm to Family” that provides a week’s worth of meals to club member families. To be eligible children must be registered as members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County.
