Newton Program Aims To Help Restaurants And Food Insecure

NEWTON, MA — A new program plans to deliver more than 10,000 restaurant meals to food pantries, senior programs and others who have been hit hard by the pandemic in Newton, Wellesley and Brookline beginning in March.

Massachusetts Sen. Cynthia Creem proposed the $175,000 initiative funded by a state budget earmark. The Newton Needham Regional Chamber of commerce is administering the program, which will last through June.

“This grant could not come at a better time for both our struggling restaurants and the deeply concerning number of individuals and families in our communities who are struggling with access to food, including residents who may be feeling anxious to leave their homes or are under quarantine,” said Newton-Needham Regional Chamber President Greg Reibman.

As the state legislature was working on the state budget they were given an opportunity to put in budget amendments related to the pandemic.

Creem, a Newton resident, was torn whether to do something that would help struggling families or restaurants in her district, also hit hard.

She reached out to Reibman and together they came up with a plan that would help both.

"The great thing about this is it helps the restaurants and people with food insecurity," Creem said, calling it a "win-win."

The program has allocated $75,000 to Newton; $60,000 to Brookline; and $40,000 to Wellesley. The chamber plans to spend all the money that's been allotted at local independent restaurants.

The Newton-Needham Regional Chamber will work directly with restaurants and volunteers in Newton and Wellesley. The Rotary Club of Newton will use volunteers to coordinate deliveries. The Brookline Chamber of Commerce will manage Brookline’s program.

The move comes at a time when food insecurity, or people not getting enough food to maintain health, is on the rise.

Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief organization, said the coronavirus-related economic crises pushed the number of food insecure people upwards.

Food insecurity is often thought of as a "poor people's problem," but not all people living in poverty are food insecure, and not all food insecure people live in poverty. Systemic challenges, including poverty, low wages, affordable housing shortages, chronic and acute health problems, high medical costs and social isolation all contribute.

“This wonderful initiative helps both our restaurants survive the pandemic and those Newton residents struggling to put food on their tables,” said Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller in a statement.

Both chambers are now accepting applications from restaurants that would like to participate in the Food Assistance Program. In Newton, the Newton-Needham Chamber is partnering with the Rotary Club of Newton, which will use volunteers to coordinate all deliveries. Newton-based, independent restaurants interested in participating can apply here.

Previously: Brookline Program To Help Food Insecure And Restaurants

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