Our involvement in local programs aims to bridge the gap between abundance and need. One such initiative is Food for Free , founded in 1981. This Cambridge-based organization attacks food insecurity with various programs, such as Heat ‘n Eats, which rescues surplus food from distributors ranging from grocery stores to university dining halls and distributes them to families in need. They also target hunger in school-age children with their Backpack program, which discreetly fills kids’ backpacks with bags of food for the weekend. Food for Free is always looking for volunteers to pack up food, deliver groceries, or pack nutritious, microwavable meals, and they make signing up really easy. Every volunteer helps ensure that high-quality food reaches those who need it most, rather than going to waste and releasing methane in landfills.
We also support the Melrose Food Drive, which rescues produce and prepared foods from grocery stores in and around Melrose, diverting tons of waste each month from landfills and towards food pantries in the area. This all-volunteer organization was started during the pandemic by a local couple, and has grown every year to include restaurants, delis, donuts, school snacks, and catered events. They also get residents to make and donate single-serve meals and drop them at Melrose’s community freezer; thousands of leftovers each year are saved from the trash because of this program!
This past summer, Liz & Ellie Local made a direct financial donation to the Boston Area Gleaners. Our contribution supports their efforts to deliver farm-fresh food directly to distribution points throughout the Boston area. Talk about Farm-to-Table! We understand the importance of access to nutritious food and are grateful to put our money where our mouth is, as it were, and support the Gleaners, who work tirelessly to expand that access.
Harvest Season should not only be a time to celebrate nature's bounty but also a time to acknowledge the work that remains. We must confront the disconnect between the perception of abundance and the reality of food insecurity. By coming together as a community, we can help ensure that no one is left behind and that the harvest is truly shared by all. At Liz & Ellie Local, we are dedicated to being part of this change and invite others to join us in making a difference. Together, we can work towards a future where every table is filled with nourishing food.
Please consider supporting one of the above organizations with your time, money, or even your leftovers! They are all doing amazing work.
