Newton Neighbors Help Feed Families

Newton Neighbors Help Feed Families

Last week, Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors teamed up with Rotary Club of Newton and the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club to support local restaurants and at the same time provide meals to families who have found themselves in need during the Covid-19 pandemic. Volunteers from Newton Neighbors solicited donations and purchased 25 $50 restaurant gift cards from some of everyone’s favorite Newton establishments including Cabot’s, Knotty Pine, Tango Mango, Four Spoons, Farm Grill and more. The campaign, which is called Project Takeout, is ongoing and more gift cards are expected to be delivered to more families in the coming days.

The Boys & Girls Club of Newton has operated throughout the pandemic serving children and families from all income levels with both remote school and enriching afterschool programming. In the course of this work, 25 Newton families were identified based on family size and income level to receive this much needed boost. Executive Director David Sellers says “As the pandemic has dragged on, many families have found themselves in a bit of a rut when it comes to meals. For some families, the economic downturn and shifting job statuses have triggered needs that didn’t exist before Covid-19. With kids learning virtually and often being off in their own spaces within their homes, we all feel just a little bit more closed off than usual. These certificates represent an opportunity for families to get together and celebrate!”

Newton Rotary Club played a pivotal role in the project and carries out their motto of “service above self”. Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a grass roots organization whose aim is to connect community members to support one another and share resources for people who live, work, pray, play and/or learn in Newton. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/newtonneighborshelping or to donate go to https://newtonrotaryclub.com/