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ARLINGTON, Va. — Since March 17, with the financial support of sponsors, donors and generous local community members, the Real Food for Kids: Chefs Feeding Families initiative has served more than 10,000 free grab-and-go meals to families in the Washington, D.C. metro area who have been impacted by the school closures and job losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In one month, donations to Real Food for Kids provided funds to local restaurants Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery — which co-founded the initiative — Silver Diner at Rio, and Pizzeria Paradiso. The donations covered the cost of food, supplies and restaurant staff to feed as many families as possible and create employment opportunities within the restaurant community also greatly impacted by COVID-19 closures — one position at a time.
“The COVID-19 pandemic suddenly and drastically catapulted our nation into a health and economic crisis that threatens the food security of families and creates an unprecedented demand for food assistance,” said Jenn Yates, executive director of Real Food for Kids. “We are so proud to serve more than 10,000 nutritious meals in such a short time period, and yet it is more critical than ever for public support and donations to continue this important community service and provide healthy, whole-food meals to more families in need during this emergency.”
Each meal served through the Chefs Feeding Families initiative aligns with Real Food for Kids’ mission to increase access to healthy, whole foods for all children. These free meals are intended to complement the emergency meal distribution being implemented by local school and community groups helping those experiencing food insecurity in the Washington, D.C., region.
Real Food for Kids is seeking donations from the community to further expand this effort throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. All the money raised will be used for the Chefs Feeding Families initiative, including funding purchases of food and supplies. To make a donation and find out when and where free meals will be available in your community, visit www.realfoodforkids.org/chefsfeedingfamilies.
About Real Food for Kids: Chefs Feeding Families
Real Food for Kids: Chefs Feeding Families is a joint project with Washington, D.C., metro area restaurants to provide nourishing grab-and-go meals to families impacted by closed schools and job losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Co-founded by Chef David Guas of Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery in Arlington, Va., and Real Food for Kids, Chefs Feeding Families provides funding for food, supplies and restaurant staff to feed as many families as possible and create employment opportunities within the restaurant community also impacted by COVID-19 closures. Visit www.realfoodforkids.org/chefsfeedingfamilies to find the latest information about meal availability in your area and learn how to provide more meals for families in need.