Update: May 9, 2020
Thank you, seriously, so much.
It’s On Us turns one month old today! These past four weeks instilled a sense of purpose, community, and resiliency in the three of us - you all did that. Thank you. We hope this feeling is shared with all of you. For now, let me take you back in time...
In one month IOU Corvallis grew from a text conversation between three semi-strangers to nourishing hundreds of people every week. We started by delivering 40 pita to staff at Lumina Hospice in April, as a thank you for their invisible front line work. This week, we gifted our 1,596th meal. Amazing!
In four weeks you all donated over $28,000 to recirculate back into the local food and beverage economy. You, our donors, are one of 300 strong. There are 299 others in this community who, just like you, think anyone who needs a boost right now should get one. We are all so lucky to have neighbors like us!
In the last four weeks we paid restaurant owners $10,395 to prepare meals as gifts for the community.
In the next four we have already promised over another $10,000 to restaurant owners. We wish you could hear their voices when they realize a $1,500 check coming their way. They pay rent, they pay backed up bills, they hire on employees for the day. This is a lifeline for them. One It’s On Us Community Meal could be the difference between remaining open and closing permanently.
In the next four weeks you all will give at least another 1,050 meals to the community, to anyone who wants a boost; no questions asked, no needs assessment.
We hear from those who pick up community meals.
We are community members who lost their jobs, we are single parents who can’t leave the house to go grocery shopping because we can’t leave our kids or take our kids, and we are food makers who are working overtime making food for others and no longer have time to cook for ourselves. We are immunocompromised, we are uninsured with risk factors, and we are just plain exhausted. We all need a boost right now. The gift of a familiar meal, especially one delivered right to the doorstep, is bringing many of us to tears. Thank you.
It’s On Us is a partnership of donors, restaurants, suppliers, employees, and eaters. Together, we are Corvallis.
We ask you to continue to pay it forward when you can, however you are able.
With gratitude,
Ashley, Elizabeth, & Aliza