Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Lourido.
Rebecca, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up in Palm Beach County, I have a heart for making the community a better place. Over the years, I’ve volunteered with several organizations and kept thinking, “What if I could do something more?”
Like many people, COVID changed my perspective. I saw neighbors struggling, grocery store shelves empty, and families unsure of where their next meal would come from. I knew I wanted to help in some way, so I started small by creating Little Free Food Pantries and organizing holiday food distributions throughout my town.
What began as a grassroots effort quickly grew. More people reached out wanting to donate, volunteer, or ask for assistance. I realized there was a real need in our community and an opportunity to make an even bigger impact. That’s when I decided to turn my passion project into a nonprofit and founded Fighting Hunger One Bite at a Time PBC.
Today, our organization operates five Little Free Food Pantries throughout Palm Beach County, with a sixth location coming soon. We provide grocery deliveries to veterans, including disabled and low-income veterans, as well as foster youth and youth experiencing homelessness. We also organize holiday food distributions and partner with community organizations to fight food insecurity throughout Palm Beach County. One of the areas closest to my heart is serving veterans. They have sacrificed so much for our country, and I believe they deserve to be supported and cared for when times get tough.
Outside of the nonprofit, I work full-time as a Senior Environmental Project Manager. My passion for the environment started early, I knew as far back as middle school that I wanted a career where I could help protect our natural resources and make a positive impact. In addition to my professional career, I enjoy participating in environmental initiatives, including mangrove restoration projects with Wild Blue Sea and beach cleanups, and I am honored to serve on my town’s Environmental Task Force. I also stay involved in my community through Junior League of the Palm Beaches and by supporting childhood literacy through the Palm Beach Imagination Library.
Whether I’m helping protect the environment, fighting food insecurity, or supporting veterans, children, and families, my goal has always been the same – to leave my community a little better than I found it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but I think that’s true of anything worthwhile.
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing a full-time career while running a nonprofit. Fighting Hunger One Bite at a Time PBC is volunteer-driven, so there have been many late nights, early mornings, and weekends dedicated to stocking pantries, coordinating deliveries, writing grants, and organizing holiday food distributions. Learning how to manage my time and avoid burnout has been an ongoing process.
Another challenge has been the emotional aspect of the work. Food insecurity often isn’t visible, and many people struggle quietly. Hearing someone’s story or knowing that a veteran or family is going through a difficult time can be heartbreaking. There are moments when I wish I could help everyone, but I’ve had to learn that even making a difference for one person or one family matters.
Starting a nonprofit also meant learning a lot along the way, from navigating legal paperwork and fundraising to building partnerships and growing community awareness. There wasn’t a roadmap, and I certainly didn’t have all the answers. But every challenge has taught me something and made the organization stronger.
What keeps me going is seeing the impact. Whether it’s a child receiving a holiday meal, a family finding food in one of our Little Free Pantries, or a veteran knowing someone cares, those moments remind me why I started. The challenges are real, but so are the rewards, and I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Fighting Hunger One Bite at a Time PBC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing food insecurity throughout Palm Beach County. Our mission is simple: to ensure that no one in our community has to wonder where their next meal is coming from.
We operate five Little Free Food Pantries throughout the county and are excited to be opening our sixth soon, providing free, accessible food to anyone in need, no questions asked. We also provide grocery assistance to veterans, including disabled and low-income veterans who may be facing difficult circumstances, as well as foster youth and youth experiencing homelessness. We host an annual Veteran’s Day Luncheon to celebrate and honor local veterans at the Salvation Army’s Center of Hope, which is a transitional homeless center for veterans. We have a 9/11 Day of Service where we bring food, baskets, and cards to local first responders to thank them for all they do. In addition, we organize holiday food distributions to help families and individuals throughout our community celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter with a special meal.
What sets us apart is our grassroots approach and our commitment to meeting people where they are. Sometimes that means stocking a pantry, sometimes it means delivering groceries directly to a veteran or a young person in need, and sometimes it means making sure a family can sit down to a holiday meal together. We believe food is more than nourishment, it’s comfort, dignity, and a way to show people they are not alone.
I’m especially proud that what started as a few Little Free Food Pantries and holiday food distributions during COVID has grown into an organization that serves communities across Palm Beach County. We’ve been able to build meaningful partnerships with schools, local businesses, and other organizations that share our vision of a stronger, more compassionate community.
I want readers to know that you don’t need to make a huge gesture to make a difference. Small acts of kindness add up, and when communities come together, incredible things can happen. Every pantry stocked, every grocery bag delivered, and every meal shared is proof that compassion still exists and that together, we can make a lasting impact.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My biggest piece of advice is simple: don’t wait until everything is perfect to start.
When I first began, I didn’t have a nonprofit, a big budget, or a detailed business plan. I just saw a need in my community and decided to do something about it. Those first few Little Free Food Pantries and holiday food distributions during COVID eventually grew into something much bigger than I ever imagined.
I also think it’s important to never give up. Along the way, there will be challenges that test you. There will be moments of self-doubt, obstacles you didn’t expect, and times when things don’t go according to plan. But if you’re passionate about what you’re doing and stay focused on your mission, those challenges can make you stronger and more resilient.
I learned that growth rarely happens without adversity. The difficult moments have taught me some of my greatest lessons and have made me appreciate the victories even more.
If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be that you never know how one idea, one conversation, or one act of service can change lives, including your own.
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