Since 2016, Food for Free has created food access by running hunger relief programs to support students experiencing food insecurity in local public schools over the weekends.
It all started with what many of us know as the Cambridge and Somerville Weekend Backpack Programs, in which bags were packed and distributed with meals and healthy snacks every Friday to food-insecure students. This process ensured that students in need were well-nourished and better prepared to learn when they returned to school on Monday.
When the pandemic forced school closures and a significant shift to remote learning for everyone’s safety, Food For Free lost the main component to the Backpack Program’s distribution process: schools. With the local need increasing and more families inquiring about resources, we had to get creative.
During this challenging time, we introduced the Carrot Card Program, a program where Food For Free provides students with reloadable debit cards to purchase food, renewed monthly for ongoing support. This unique program was modeled after a highly successful prepaid debit card program piloted by the city of Chelsea in 2021 called Chelsea Eats. Regardless of how the school system must pivot to ensure the safety of its students and staff, a prepaid debit card program makes access to food possible.
Now called ‘Weekend Eats’, the Weekend Backpack Program still operates as a critical Food For Free program, providing 190 students with food bags every weekend packed with perishable and non-perishable meals and snacks. But during the last school year in order to reach their remote students, many schools we work with shifted to the Carrot Card Program.
As of January 2022, we distribute Carrot Cards to 942 food-insecure families across Cambridge and Somerville, providing 1,670 K-8th grade students with nourishment every single weekend. The Carrot Card Program has enabled Food For Free to reach more food-insecure families than ever before.
And based on feedback from our school partnerships, we recently learned just how important this program has been for families struggling to put food on the table: recent data has shown that families spent 97% of their Carrot Card funds at food stores like Market Basket, Stop & Shop, and Star Market.
In addition, several families shared how these cards have positively impacted their lives. One anonymous parent shares, “The gift card empowers me to be able to choose foods that my son likes. I also have dietary needs and can make proper choices when shopping.”
Other parents shared similar appreciation, “Without this monthly grocery gift card, my kids would be hungry. I am grateful.” and “I just want to thank you for easing our pain.” We are encouraged by this emotional, positive response to this program and are thrilled to serve our community in this unique way during these unprecedented times.
Food For Free is eternally grateful to our supporters who help make our work possible. Thank you for your generosity, enabling us to give fresh, nutritious food to struggling local families raising the next generation.
Wanna learn more about how we’re creating pathways to food access through the school system? Read about our school programs here.
