April 7, 2020
This Thursday marks the 4th week of delivering food to families and seniors in Lynn.
North Shore Labor Council, North Shore Juneteenth Association, and My Brother's Table with support from the Salvation Army, and community and church leaders are teaming up to make sure no one goes hungry during the Coronavirus pandemic. Agencies, local businesses, and LPS are serving much-needed to-go meals for Lynn residents. Yet many families and seniors are unable to leave their house, and these meals are inaccessible. To fill this gap, the labor-community team is delivering boxes of food to people's homes for free.
"I began making calls to folks we work with and our members, asking how they're doing in light of the Coronavirus. I talked to people who are suddenly out of work, many ineligible for benefits like unemployment insurance, and they're scared. They're scared they won't make rent, and they're scared they won't be able to feed their kids," says Katie Cohen, Executive Director of North Shore Labor Council.
The lack of federal legislation compacts this fear, as people are unsure where or when they might get their next paycheck.
But, people across Lynn have been stepping up to help their neighbors. Tia Cole and Aparna Raghu,who started the Lynn Mutual Aid Network, are helping connect volunteers with opportunities to get involved. Cohen with Nicole McClain, Director of North Shore Juneteenth Association began organizing food drop offs last Saturday. In less than a week, their list has grown from 4 families to over 70 families and seniors.
"It's inspiring to see people come together. City Councilors and volunteers from across Lynn have been helping. And, we couldn't do this without My Brother's Table. Their wealth of experience and expertise has been essential to this project," adds Cohen. "While a box of food won't solve your problems or stop the pandemic, we hope it gives you a little piece of mind, and it helps protect everyone's health by enabling more people to stay at home."
If you would like to volunteer to deliver or to receive a box, please email northshorelaborcouncil@gmail.com
