Food Access and Community Leadership in Central

FOOD ACCESS RAISES EVERYONE

The FARE Project is a broad-based, community-wide initiative designed to connect and support organizations and individuals engaging in healthy food access work in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. FARE’s work in Central neighborhood largely focused on resident-led promotion of healthy food choices at convenience stores. Due to COVID-19 and the small size of convenience stores, the work was put on hold. However, FARE quickly pivoted to conduct research to identify community needs and gaps in the COVID-19 response. The report and recommendations were instructive on SOCF’s response and the collective response of the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund. Through connections facilitated by FARE and Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc., the foundation has provided discretionary funds to resident-led COVID-19 relief efforts, leading to the distribution of over 7,000 hot meals, hygiene kits, produce bags and meal kits to residents of Central and neighboring communities.

KINSMAN-CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE

Through the Kinsman-Central Community Collective, FARE is continuing to transition leadership and resources to local residents.

In fall 2019, FARE recruited residents and grassroots leaders to form a Community Collective in Cleveland’s Kinsman-Central neighborhood. In this model, collectives are given funding, resources, training, autonomy and stipends for their time. They are shifting power and providing opportunities for residents to lead, be heard and respected while the institutions, foundations and nonprofits who serve them listen and learn.

The Community Collective members represent the diverse socio-economic dynamics of this community. They are current or former residents of Central-Kinsman and leaders of grassroots initiatives in the community. The collective spurred the development of new projects and initiatives in direct response to community needs during COVID. From youth programming to food delivery services for elders and homebound families; to outdoor art programming creating opportunities for social connection; and bringing PPE and hygiene supplies to over 500 families in need, FARE and the community collective are designed and built to be responsive to community needs through innovation, collaboration and effective use of resources. FARE staff and community collective members are connected and nimble enough to be incredibly effective first responders during times of crisis. This past year has demonstrated how critical this approach is in meeting community needs. In Kinsman-Central, with support from FARE and Environmental Health Watch, Collective members joined forces during the COVID-19 emergency to distribute hot meals and hygiene kits to over 200 community residents each week.

ITEMS IN HYGIENE KITS

masks, blankets, feminine hygiene products, art kits, diapers/formula, hats/gloves, toilet paper, paper towels, house cleaning supplies, utensils, laundry detergent, gas gift cards, bus passes, soap, dishwashing detergent, duster wipes

DISTRIBUTED TO FAMILIES AT Outhwaite, Carver Park, Cedar Estates, King Kennedy, and to senior citizens at several sites

COLLECTIVE MEMBERS

Patrick Payne, Cassandra Gordan, Carl Cook, Gwen Garth, Alesia Corpening, Lisanetta McDade, Walt Patton, Asia Pope, and Wyndi Mooret

“Relationships within the community between residents and grassroots groups were key to building a well-oiled machine that addressed basic needs, including food, for (Central-Kinsman) residents who needed them the most.”

— WYNDI MOORE — The FARE Project