The Marion Institute’s “Cooks for Community” Program Serves Up Hot Meals and Hope 

The Marion Institute’s “Cooks for Community” Program Serves Up Hot Meals and Hope in Wareham

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

MARION, MA – Neighbors feeding neighbors. The Marion Institute Southcoast Food Policy Council (SFPC) has launched “Cooks for Community,” a community-specific collaboration that works with service organizations and local restaurants in the Southcoast to ensure that at-risk populations have access to food from safe sources.

In Wareham, the SFPC has joined forces with Mark Anthony’s Restaurant in Onset, Minkle Boys Catering, local group Community Youth Empowerment (CYE), and the YMCA Southcoast to distribute nutritious hot meals to seniors in need  (at the Gleason Family YMCA) and to members of Wareham’s unsheltered community. This initiative will run five days a week from April 13th – May 8th, providing a total of 2,400 hot meals.

“There’s a need, and we are doing everything we can to meet that need. We’re just very grateful that we have this opportunity,” said Liz Wiley, Executive Director of The Marion Institute.

The Cooks for Community program also benefits local restaurants, many of which are struggling to remain open amid the operating limitations put in place by the Commonwealth.

“I am happy to help locally and join forces with others. I love the idea of ‘neighbors helping neighbors” and that I can use my expertise to make a difference and help feed others during a time of crisis,” says Danny Minkle of Minkle Boys Catering.

Funding for the Wareham program came from Southcoast Health, which serves the community via Tobey Hospital, and also from lifelong resident John Decas.

“I’m hoping that this will inspire other people who might want to contribute to The Institute for this same program to perhaps extend beyond the month,” Decas said. “It’s a time of need; a lot of people are struggling.”

The Marion Institute is currently fundraising and working with community partners to roll out similar programs in New Bedford and other regions on the Southcoast. Donations to this program can be made to the Marion Institute’s Southcoast Food Policy Council-Cooks for Community.

Program inquiries should be directed to Liz Wiley, Executive Director, at liz@marioninstitute.org or 508-748-0816 x117.

Press inquiries: Patti Rego, Director of Marketing and Communications, prego@marioninstitute.org