Gathering Together While Staying Distant
We’ve been pleasantly surprised at how well virtual events are working this year, both as fundraisers and as ways to gather as a community.
When we first heard that the Ride for Food was going virtual this year, we expected to have a smaller turnout than in previous years. We were so wrong! Food For Free’s 38 riders—including corporate teams from Akamai and Quench Bio—have raised over $20,000! This is more than we could have hoped for during such an unusual year, and we are so grateful for all the work that these teams put in to make it happen.
Fundraising will remain open until December 1st—so if there’s a rider you’d like to support, you still have time!
We held our annual Party Under the Harvest Moon remotely on October 16, raising $19,000 to get food to families in need. Not bad for our first virtual party! You can listen to Sasha’s remarks here.
Want another opportunity to support our work? For the entire month of November, Lamplighter Brewing Co. in Cambridge will donate a percentage of all sales from their seasonal brew “Blame It On My Juice,” a cranberry beer, to Food For Free. In addition, Lamplighter will be hosting a series of virtual anniversary events the week of November 18-22 that will offer fun opportunities to pair your take-out beer purchases with dinner. We’ll post more details on our social media accounts as details are confirmed!”
Staff Comings and Goings
Operations Director Ryan Lee will be leaving in mid-December to begin a new career in airplane repair. Ryan has brought a knack for problem solving, a wry wit, and a strong sense of moral purpose to his work at Food For Free and will be greatly missed.
New Operations Director Ben Engle comes to us with both nonprofit and food-sector experience. Ben starts November 16, just in time for the Thanksgiving rush. Welcome, Ben!
The Operations Team welcomed New Food Rescue Coordinator Erica Kenny in September. Look for her behind the wheel!
Several additions to the Programs Team, as we scale up for the doubled-in-size Home Delivery program. Damian Vacca and Ricky Everest have started as Home Delivery Assistants. Volunteers may see them helping Simon on Home Delivery weekends.
Later this month, the Programs Teams welcomes Omotoyosi Saint-Cyr into the new position of Volunteer Coordinator. Omotoyosi will be developing new systems to recruit, welcome, manage, and appreciate the many, many volunteers who have recently joined our ranks. She brings a wealth of volunteer management experience and we’re grateful to have her on board!
Funding Updates
In the last three months, Food For Free has received grants from these generous funders:
• Cambridge Community Foundation
• Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation
• George H. and Jane A. Mifflin Memorial Fund
We are grateful to everyone who supports our work!
And, that’s our news! Stay tuned for our end-of-year fundraising appeal, coming to a mailbox and an inbox near you. And, if you haven’t already, don’t forget to check out our FY20 Annual Report! Thanks for staying in touch!
