With Spring Break for Broward and Palm Beach county schools just days away, there are some free opportunities for students to get moving — whether it’s by riding on a Palm Tran bus, learning how to swim at the YMCA, or taking part in emergency response training.
But these aren’t the only ways families can save this month. Here are 10 free offerings in South Florida during March (and beyond, in some cases). Happy savings!
(Please note: This is just a sampling of freebies available throughout South Florida.)
1. Palm Tran
If you’ve been wanting to try out public transit in Palm Beach County, this month may be the best time to hop on. Palm Tran is offering a deal for new and existing users of its Paradise Pass, a contactless fare payment option launched in November 2021. Purchase a reloadable smart card at any Palm Beach County library, the Palm Tran office at 50 S. Military Trail in West Palm Beach, or at Paradise Pass kiosks and select retail locations listed on . The Paradise Pass app also is available to download from the Google Play or Apple store. Load $5 onto a Paradise Pass account in March and use the promo code SAVINGS to receive a free week of rides. Riders can then scan their phone screen or tap the card to pay their fare when boarding the bus. Visit myparadisepass.com to register and manage your account.
2. Self-defense classes
Inspired by one of its members in Tampa who recently fought off an attacker at her apartment complex’s gym, YouFit is offering free self-defense classes at South Florida locations on March 21. Participants will learn moves and techniques based on Krav Maga. The classes are 60 to 90 minutes depending on the gym’s schedule. RSVP at .
The free sessions are scheduled for:
noon at YouFit Gyms Dania Beach, 140 S. Compass Way
4 p.m. at YouFit Gyms Deerfield Beach, 4032 W. Hillsboro Blvd.
5 p.m. at YouFit Gyms Margate, 3133 N. State Road 7, and YouFit Gyms South Pompano Beach, 401 S. Federal Highway
6 p.m. at YouFit Gyms Greenacres, 3913 Jog Road, and YouFit Gyms Davie, 8942 W. State Road 84
3. Neighborhood Markets
As prices continue to rise at the grocery store, there are some options to get fresh produce, meat, dairy (when available), dry and nonperishable goods at free Neighborhood Markets in Deerfield Beach. Sponsored by the Broward County-based nonprofit FLIPANY and supported by other organizations, anyone can pick up free food at three locations in the city. Participants may register in advance, though walk-ins are also accepted, for pickup from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays in the car line at Deerfield Beach Middle School, 701 SE Sixth Ave. (), and 2:40 to 3:20 p.m. Wednesdays, while supplies last, at Deerfield Beach High School’s Beach House Gate, 910 Buck Pride Way (). Advance registration is required at to pick up items from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays at Nina’s Place, 959 SE Sixth Ave. Visit ninasplacedfb.org and click on “Frequently Asked Questions.”
4. Baby supplies
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County is bringing its Basics4Babies Emergency Pantry for Infants van to the Palm Beach County Main Library from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 27 and April 24. The emergency pantry provides free diapers, wipes and basic baby needs to Palm Beach County families who demonstrate need. If it’s your first visit to the pantry, you must show a photo ID with proof of residency, as well as provide your name, employment status and child’s (or children’s) name, age and date of birth; and “proof of child” such as a birth certificate, hospital discharge paperwork, passport, crib card or other documentation verifying child’s date of birth (Social Security cards are not accepted). The Main Library is at 3650 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach. Visit .
5. Swim lessons
Some YMCA of South Florida locations will be offering free swim lessons and water safety instruction to children and adults during Swim for Jenny Week from March 20 to 24. The annual event is named after a South Florida 12-year-old, Jenny Nguyen, who drowned in 2011. Its goal: to teach drowning prevention and water safety techniques. Additionally, swimsuit donations will be accepted throughout the week at all YMCA of South Florida locations in Broward County.
Register for swim lessons by calling 954-334-9622 or in person at any of the following participating YMCA locations:
L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center, 1409 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
Weston YMCA Family Center, 20201 Saddle Club Road
Greater Hollywood YMCA Family Center, 3161 Taft St.
Hallandale Beach YMCA Family Center, 501 SE First Ave.
Pembroke Pines YMCA Family Center, 501 SW 172nd Ave.
Pembroke Pines Aquatic & Program Center, 1361 NW 129th Ave.
The Y will have kickoff events from 4 to 6 p.m. March 21 at the L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center and 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 22 at the Weston YMCA Family Center. Visit .
6. Meals for seniors
Palm Beach County residents age 60 and older can get free breakfast and lunch — at nutrition sites, senior centers or other group settings — provided by the Palm Beach County Community Services Department, Area Agency on Aging, and Department of Elder Affairs. Other eligible recipients include the spouse of a resident age 60 or older who eats at the meal site; a disabled person living in the home of someone age 60 and older who eats at the meal site; anyone who lives in a housing facility where a meal site is located; and any volunteer who provides services at a site during a meal.
For a full list of participating locations, visit .
7. Little Free Libraries
“Take a book, leave a book” is the motto of the Little Free Library program. Funded by the Friends of the Boca Raton Public Library, three new Little Free Libraries have popped up at several Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District properties:
Sugar Sand Park, 300 S. Military Trail
Patch Reef Park, 2000 Yamato Road
The Swim & Racquet Center, 21626 St. Andrews Blvd.
Visit for a full list of Boca Raton locations.
After you pick up a free book, stay to check out Patch Reef Park’s StoryWalk, also funded by the Friends of the Boca Raton Public Library. The free program, which launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, incorporates children’s books along a popular outdoor walking route. In the spotlight currently: “Dance Like a Flamingo” by Moira Butterfield.
Other StoryWalk locations are:
Pondhawk Natural Area, 1501 Spanish River Blvd.
Serenoa Glade Preserve within George Snow Park, 1101 NW 15th St.
For more information on the program, visit .
8. Teen CERT training
Teenagers can learn basic first aid, light firefighting and search-and-rescue, as well as disaster preparedness and psychology while earning community service hours — all for free — as part of the Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management’s Teen Community Emergency Response Team training. Registration is open now for classes set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, through April 29, at the Palm Beach State College Lake Worth campus, 4200 S. Congress Ave. The training, which is financed through federal grants, is designed to prepare teens age 13 to 17 to protect themselves and others in an emergency. Visit to register.
9. Win a giant Easter egg
Chocolate lovers, this one’s for you. Stop in to one of Doris Italian Market & Bakery’s five locations in Broward and Palm Beach counties for the chance to win a 4-pound, 2 1/2-foot Bellino Imported Italian Milk Chocolate Egg (reportedly valued at $200). No purchase is necessary to submit an entry form. One winner from each location will be chosen, and one grand-prize winner selected from all of the entries will hop away with a 10-pound, 4-foot egg worth $300. Submit entries at any Doris Market location by March 24. The winners will be drawn on March 31. Call 954-572-5269 or visit to print out an entry form to bring to the store.
10. Pet adoptions
Adopt a new furry friend for free during March and April at Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control. Each animal is spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and has a county license tag. In addition to adoption fees being waived, you also receive a free follow-up visit to a veterinarian and bag of Hill’s Science Diet pet food. Check out the cats and dogs available in person at the facility, 7100 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, or online at . The Adoption Center is open from noon to 6 p.m. weekdays, noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Fostering options also are available for those who can’t take in a permanent pet. Visit or call 561-233-1200.
