LEAF Starts October Food Drive
It's scary to not be able to feed your family. And in Massachusetts, 1 in 8 people struggles with hunger. The Greater Boston Food Bank reports that:
"Hunger is not a problem facing just those in poverty—it is also a challenge faced by working- and middle-class neighbors. A recent study shows that 47% of those at risk for hunger in Eastern Massachusetts earn too much to qualify for government-provided emergency food assistance. Many never dreamed they would need a food pantry or community meal program to feed themselves and their families."
While activists and professionals advocate tirelessly for the legalization of marijuana, the nonprofit organization LEAF - Ladies Empowerment + Action Fusion -- kicked off their first annual October Food Drive with a presort shift at the Greater Boston Food Bank. The shift involved inspection of donations to ensure safety and quality of the donated items. In total, the LEAF team helped to sort more than 20,000 pounds of food, which made more than 15,000 meals possible for Food Bank patrons.
"As the days get colder and families struggle to feed their kids, the Greater Boston Food Bank and food pantries in all of our cities and towns need all hands on deck," explained Cara Crabb-Burnham, founder of LEAF and Dean of Faculty at the Northeastern Institute of Cannabis. "We had a blast volunteering with such an incredible organization and look forward to bringing LEAF back on a regular basis."
Donations of nonperishable food, toiletries, paper products and beverages can be dropped off at the Northeastern Institute of Cannabis's campus at 10 Tech Circle in Natick, or at any of the following Women Grow events:
Thursday, October 6: Legal and Business Considerations for Cannabis Startups, Burns & Levinson LLP, 125 Summer Street, Boston
Wednesday, October 12: Cannabis Conversation with Rick Steves, Women Grow and Massachusetts Mothers for Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana, UMASS Club, 1 Beacon St, Boston
Monday, October 17: Marijuana Mosaic, UMASS Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, Harbor Gallery in McCormick Hall
Thursday, November 3: Preparing for the Post-Prohibition Job Market, Boston Center for Adult Education, Arlington St, Boston
Contact Beth Waterfall with any questions or to participate in an upcoming LEAF community event.