In late March, as businesses were closing up shop and workers were being laid off, FC2 Trustee Tim O’Shaughnessy had an idea for how to help. More financially strapped people needed food and restaurants needed more customers for takeout and delivery. Tim is President and CEO of Graham Holdings, which is the parent company of Clyde’s Restaurant Group. He started the program Food It Forward where members of the public donate meals from Clyde’s and other partner restaurants to be delivered to needy residents.
In the District, Clyde’s is partnering with Martha’s Table to distribute the donated meals. The meals themselves are balanced and hearty, for example, with roast chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, dessert and a beverage. Each meal is delivered warm and individually packaged so there is no cross-contamination. Since distribution began on March 26th, Food It Forward has averaged about 350 meals per day in the District. There are separate Food It Forward programs in Maryland and Virginia with other local distribution partners.
Unfortunately, donations and thus distributions have been dropping off since early April. If you would like to donate meals, please visit fooditforwarddc.com or forward the link to anyone who may be interested.
