Meet Our Winners
A big congratulations to all the winners of our Help a Hero Produce Giveaway! It was a privilege to read about the amazing people in our communities going above and beyond to serve others during the pandemic. Thank you for all that you do and to everyone who took time to nominate a local hero in your community. Read the inspiring story of one winner from each of our delivery areas below and then dive into all 25 winners' stories by clicking the MEET ALL THE WINNERS button!
Mariel
NOMINATED BY SUSANNA
Mariel has raised over $30,000 for recently arrived immigrant students in Washington, D.C. and their families. Mariel is a D.C. Public School teacher in a neighborhood that has been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. As soon as the crisis hit, Mariel sprung into action and set up a GoFundMe for ‘Groceries & Rent for DC Students & Families’ to help support those deeply impacted by layoffs and economic disruption. Through Mariel’s fundraising efforts, she has been able provide groceries, baby items, and other household essentials to numerous families, in addition to supporting those who have contracted the illness by providing cleaning supplies. The community Mariel is supporting (Ward 4) has had the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the city.
How free produce will help: Mariel herself is a new first time mother. Right before the start of the crisis she was looking forward to getting back to work to see her students, which unfortunately did not happen. Her partner is a local business
owner and while they have been personally affected by the crisis, they have spent their time, energy and money helping others. Mariel is the perfect person to nominate to receive 3 months of Hungry Harvest deliciousness not only because of her generosity but because she is a fantastic chef and enjoys preparing amazing dishes for her friends and family.
Caleb
NOMINATED BY NITASHA
Caleb works full-time with children in a community-based mental health agency giving therapy to families with intense dynamic, behavioral, and mental health issues. He also works part-time for me at my agency working with young adults mostly with mood disorders. Recently, his hours have gotten cut at his full-time job due to lack of clients (because schools usually refer but with no students in the schools, teachers weren’t seeing the same things). He now is only allowed to work 16 hours with his families. I’ve tried to o!er him more clients through my agency but he is worried that when schools ramp up, he won’t have the mental space to take on new kiddos if he takes on new clients with my agency. He is sacrificing more money to make sure he has room to see children who have terrible home lives. Further, Caleb leads a boys youth group every Saturday and holds church support groups most Friday evenings.
How free produce will help: As stated above, his salary has been cut tremendously! He has been eating rice and chicken (cheapest, sustainable things he can find) but could really use a better variety of healthy foods to stay on top of his game with helping families and guiding youth.
Katie
NOMINATED BY MEGAN
Katie fundraised a lot of money for the type one diabetes community! She also works for Carol Woods retirement community and she is always making a huge and positive impact on the residents. Especially the ones who have dementia and severe memory loss. She is a bright light in the very dark world and she is always willing to go above and beyond for others.
How free produce will help: I think they free produce would help extremely. She is a type one diabetic herself and she’s constantly having to spend most of her money on insulin and other products that pertain to her being a diabetic. She is also a vegetarian and we all know that living off of fruit and vegetables and vegetarian products can get pricey.
Flora
NOMINATED BY BIANCA
Flora is my best friend and currently my business partner. She is also a transgender woman who came out late in life, but lives very happy and fulfilling days ever since. Flora is by far the most generous and courageous person I have ever met. During the pandemic she has been helping countless LGBT people who she doesn’t even know by putting up a Facebook help page, where she spends hours and hours responding to people who are afraid to be as brave as her. I am not LGBT, and I do not have any interest in this cause apart from my alliance. She is dedicated to making others feel as powerful and normal as she is. Flora is a businesswoman who is at 65 years of age, starting business again, starting life again. All that while being kind. She deserves to be recognized.
How free produce will help: I am sure that if she ever gets this helping hand she will share it with people who need it more than she does. She might cook and take to the homeless. She might invite her friends over, those who are still struggling, and make sure they are ok for that BBQ night. She will, for sure, pass it on one way or the other.
Rachel
NOMINATED BY CAITLIN
Rachel is working directly with COVID-19 patients as a cardiac ICU nurse in Detroit. She continues to go into work every night for 14 hours, risking her own health. She spent weeks working with COVID-19 patients without proper PPE. She had been forced to use the same mask in a paper bag for weeks. As a result of improper PPE, she contracted COVID-19. She’s also been in isolation from her family, friends, and everyone else for months to keep them safe. In addition to that she’s currently in school for her masters in nursing and running a business!
Her ability to balance everything in such troubling times is admirable. She’s a true hero!
How free produce will help: Rachel is so busy that she rarely has time to go to the store, especially frequently enough where she can get fresh produce!