Food Now Initiative in Dudley and Grove Hall

As the economic impact of the Covid-19 crisis intensifies, families are struggling just to put food on their tables. This has been especially difficult for families in the Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan communities where the average net worth of a family is just $8 and most families live paycheck to paycheck.

Over the last two weeks the Lewis Family Foundation in partnership with the Shah Family Foundation, the Daily Table, Newmarket Business Association, The BASE and Strong Leaders program alumna Frank Coleman launched the Food Now initiative. The Food Now initiative’s goal was to bring fresh food to 600 families of students aged 5 to 15 in the Dudley neighborhood of Roxbury, and Grove Hall in Dorchester. The cost to feed a family of 4 for one week is only $34. Deliveries started last Wednesday April 29 – May 8. Boxes included rice, beans, leafy greens, chicken protein, and fruits/veggies/fresh produce. Each box was meant to provide one full meal per person each day for 7 days, not a supplemental box that assumes a family has some ingredients on hand.

Thank you to all of our partners for helping us deliver 1,539 boxes (11,000 meals) in just 4 days to 700+ families. When so many things feel out of our control, helping to put food on a family’s table is the best way we can help to make a difference.