Cooking for Community Launches with a Splash in Lewiston
On the morning of Friday, August 14, the kitchen at Boba Restaurant in Lewiston was buzzing. TV cameras and reporters were standing by. Delivery volunteers eagerly waited as staff finished packing up 130 meals for residents of Lewiston Housing, the largest low-income housing in the Lewiston/Auburn region. The previous Friday, Boba kicked off the program with resounding success and great appreciation on the part of Lewiston Housing. The launch also marked our first foray outside the greater Portland area and the start of an exciting new partnership.
Boba Restaurant, which serves authentic Asian street fare, is the first restaurant to sign on with the Cooking for Community Lewiston pilot program. Chef owners Zach Pratt and Keshia Thanephonesy couldn’t be more on board.
“Our decision to partner with Cooking for Community was based on how locals who don’t have access to local and sustainable food are being affected by food insecurity,” Pratt said. “We look forward to teaming up with Chirp Farms of Lisbon and Caren Family Farm in Auburn by purchasing locally grown produce to prepare our weekly meals. Our goal is to grow Cooking for Community from our initial 130 meals a week to preparing 500 meals weekly by teaming up with other local restaurants and local farmers.”
Lewiston Housing serves low-income elderly, disabled and immigrant families, who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Lewiston Housing Deputy Executive Director Travis Heynen said these meals are important to residents’ physical and mental wellbeing. “We have 500 units housing folks who have experienced tremendous difficulty during this pandemic,” he said. “We knew early on in the pandemic that food insecurity would be an issue for our residents. For some, going to the grocery store is just not an option right now. Each meal represents one fewer chance for exposure for seniors and people with disabilities. We are extremely grateful.”
