Over 50 restaurants join to feed those who are seniors, sick, or laid off due to Covid-19 crisis.
San Francisco, Ca: Today FreeMeals.org launched to feed families in need. Over 40 million Americans struggle with hunger, one in six children is food insecure, and almost 900,000 seniors are in isolation just in the Bay Area. Our mission is to offer hot nutritious meals from local restaurants to those in need, helping them get food secure and healthier. Founded by tech entrepreneur Reena Jadhav, FreeMeals is 100% volunteer-run. All donations are tax-deductible and go towards buying meals from local restaurants which is also helping the local economy.
“This is the time for humanity to rise above our individual needs to help those truly struggling. I believe no one should sleep hungry and started FreeMeals.org as a vehicle to deliver on that. I’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of our donors, volunteers and restaurants. I’m deeply moved by the gratitude notes from the families we are serving. This is the time for all of us to come together in a circle of caring for all those in need,” said Reena Jadhav, Founder of FreeMeals.org.
“As a single mother of a teenager and caretaker of her father, it was devastating to be laid off. I never had to worry about food before. Through this difficult time, it was an amazing gift to receive a free hot meal. It made us feel human again during this Covid-19 crisis. Thank you, Free Meals!” said Janine Nelson.
“I am in my 90s and unable to leave my home. Sadly I also don’t have any support right now to get food so a hand-delivered hot meal was the highlight of my day. You can’t imagine how grateful I am to FreeMeals right now,” said Joyce, a Pleasanton resident.
You can read more family stories and thank you notes which highlight the desperate situation so many find themselves in today. Just $25 can mean not sleeping hungry for so many in our community.
Local restaurants that have joined our cause include Lazy Dog, De La Torres, Oasis, Berevino, Jalsa, Fresh Millions, Port of Peri Peri, Sultan’s Kebab, Blaze Pizza, Mountain Mike’s and others. Restaurants have been deeply impacted due to the lockdown and are struggling to pay their skeleton staff. Yet these restaurants have demonstrated tremendous generosity by creating large nutritious meals to feed a family of four for just $25 including tax and tip.
Families can fill out a Meal Request form and select either a vegetarian or chicken meal as well as either pick up or delivery. Volunteers then review incoming requests, place the orders, coordinate with delivery volunteers as well as families. Most meals are picked up or delivered the same day or the next day.
Hospitals such as John Muir Hospital, individual physicians, school districts, foster care organizations such as CASA, and others are sharing information with their communities. To join our cause please donate at Every.org/freemeals or volunteer at Freemeals.org. You can also find us on social media @GetFreeMeal.
For media requests please email Reena Jadhav at reena@healcircle.org.
About FreeMeals.org
FreeMeals.org is a Pleasanton, Ca based non-profit (EIN: 26-3642056) feeding families in need. We buy hot nutritious meals from local restaurants and offer delivery or pickup to seniors, the sick, the laid-off and others without access to a fresh meal. We are partnered with hospitals such as John Muir, non-profits such as CASA and school districts to reach families in need. We are also supported by corporate matching programs at Workday and Salesforce through our Benevity listing. We can be reached at FreeMeals.org for donations, free meal requests, and volunteering.
###
