Programs
- We’ve shuffled our Home Delivery schedule a bit to make room for more clients. We expect to reach 150 clients over the next six months, but we need your help to do it.
- Food Rescue continues to grow. New donors include the Trader Joes in Allston, Bentley University, Wellesley Public Schools, and Olin College.
- Family Meals is piloting a new approach at Harvard in collaboration with Harvard University Dining Services. Student volunteers are packaging meals this fall under the guidance of a work-study student supervisor. Harvard is picking up the tab for the student supervisor, and we are grateful!
- Updates on the Cambridge Weekend Backpack Program needed their own post.
Staff
- Bailey Werner has joined our staff as Family Meals Program Coordinator, replacing Amy Starzec in the kitchen. Bailey’s past experience, super positive attitude, and ability to manage many things at once make her the perfect person to help the Family Meals program as it continues to grow.
- Sarah Adler, Ryan’s right-hand woman in her position as Operations Coordinator, has also joined the program team, as Home Delivery Program Coordinator. We are all excited about not only getting more of Sarah’s time but also taking advantage of her smarts, compassion, and commitment to service in this client-facing position.
- Stuart Mapes is interning with us for the year as part of the Presbyterian Church’s Young Adult Volunteers program. The Presbyteriam Church describes the program as “a faith-based year of service for young people, ages 19-30, in 22 sites around the world and in the United States. YAVs accompany local agencies working to address root causes of poverty and reconciliation while exploring the meaning and motivation of their faith in intentional community with peers and mentors.”
Funding
Lots of exciting grants in the last few months!
- The Bushrod Campbell Adah Hall Charity Fund is once again supporting Home Delivery.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is funding the Cambridge Weekend Backpack Program. Read more about what’s going on with the Backpack Program here.
- The Boston Foundation is supporting Family Meals through their Open Door fund.
- First Church in Cambridge has awarded us a capital grant that will allow us to add refrigeration to our small van. This will finally give us a fully refrigerated fleet!
- Novartis is again funding our Food Rescue and Distribution program.
- So is Project Bread—The Walk for Hunger!
- Sanofi Genzyme has made a first-time grant in support of Home Delivery.
The Party Under the Harvest Moon
- Raised over $85,000 for Food For Free’s work
- Was a lot of fun! You can check out some photos here.
- Was made possible by support from MIT, Cambridge Savings Bank, and many other generous sponsors.