Now more than ever, we’ve witnessed the power of community as people across the U.S. have come together to increase food access for those in need.
While there is no wrong way to support in these times, it can be a challenge figuring out where to start.
Here’s a guide to help navigate where to lend a hand:
About Fresh
About Fresh has launched a new community food delivery program, Fresh Box, which gets contact-free groceries delivered to Boston neighbors who have been severely impacted by this pandemic. About Fresh’s mission is to strengthen communities by increasing food access for households that need it most. Their programs make healthy food accessible and affordable for households across Boston. Through Fresh Truck, they retrofit school buses into mobile markets to bring fresh food closer to communities without reliable access to fresh food. Through Fresh Connect, they work with healthcare providers to prescribe food as medicine for their patients experiencing food insecurity.
You can donate to About Fresh’s efforts and Fresh Boxes program here.
Chicago Public Schools and Poe Classical School
Our Pullman neighbors at Poe Classical in Chicago are working hard to ensure their students are cared for and can continue their education. Poe has embraced remote learning through virtual classes, individual office hours and virtual morning meetings. While at home, the students of Poe have not missed a beat from assignments to assemblies. While closed, the school has volunteered to serve as a Chicago Public School food distribution site. Teachers and staff at Poe are opening their classrooms for grocery and meal pickups, while also providing a place for the community to stay connected.
To find out how to support, reach out to Poe Classical at poeclassical@cps.edu.
Rethink Food NYC
During this pandemic, Rethink has increased its operation and set up new programs to meet the high demand for food access and relief. From their Restaurant Response Program, to food commissaries at restaurants across the country, and a modern day soup kitchen at Rethink Cafe, Rethink is on a mission to sustainably create a more equitable food system. To date, Rethink has rescued over 390,000 lbs. of excess food from restaurants, farms and producers and are about to break one million meals!
You can support Rethink Food’s efforts to end hunger and food waste in NYC here.
We Share Hope
Rhode Island’s largest food rescuer has focused its efforts on providing groceries and supplies for our neighbors in need. In addition to their regular operation that delivers food to over 70 New England non-profits, they’ve distributed hundreds of pallets of food to the most vulnerable populations of Rhode. Through their empowerment center that distributes 1000 bags of free groceries, senior drive through markets, and a weekly donation-based open air market, We Share Hope is feeding those in need while keeping our Providence community safe.
You can support We Share Hope’s food rescue efforts here.
