The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Regional Chamber:
More than 20 local restaurants are teaming up this November to help combat food insecurity.
Between now and Nov. 26, when you purchase a gift card from a participating restaurant up to 25 percent of the sales will be donated to Spoonfuls, Inc. — a Newton-based nonprofit food recovery organization that rescues fresh, healthy food and delivers it directly to local food pantries, shelters, and community programs statewide.
The Gift Card Give Back program is organized by the Charles River Regional Chamber and its member restaurants in response to uncertainty about the suspension of the SNAP program and the overall growing food insecurity.
“The quick response from our restaurant community has been inspiring, especially at a time when so many of these businesses are facing challenges of their own,” said Charles River Chamber President and CEO Greg Reibman.
On Friday (Oct. 31) two different federal judges ordered the Trump administration to resume the SNAP program. However, it’s unclear when the funding will be restored or whether November benefits will be fully funded.
Reibman said the chamber elected to partner with Spoonfuls because of its ability to collect and distribute healthy foods quickly to community organizations in the Charles River Chamber footprint across Massachusetts.
“Whether or not folks choose to contribute to Spoonfuls or directly to their local pantry or Fridge doesn’t matter as long as we all collectively step up to help feed our neighbors at this critical time,” Reibman said.
Funds raised through the chamber’s Gift Card Give Back program will help increase the organization’s capacity to serve additional community partners and meet rising demand during this critical time.
Details, including a list of participating restaurants, go to: Charles River Chamber Giveback.
Thanks Charlie for bringing writing this up. I read the newsletter and have been posting info, but it also needs the platform of the all local papers. It is good to see that this isn’t falling on one sector to remedy. All hands are needed and businesses can help in many ways – if not money or food, then OTC medications or help with efficient heating.