Since launching in April, the United Way of Tri-County's newest program, Gus the Grocery Bus, has added a stop, and the number of meals we serve to MetroWest residents is multiplying exponentially.
We're proud that “Gus,” a Winnebago RV turned popup food pantry, has allowed us to distribute over 14,000 meals in Marlborough since late April. A portion comes from Jo-Len Village, a 55+ resident-owned mobile home community on the city's East side that we added to Gus' route in July.
When the bus pulls in every Tuesday around lunchtime, residents are lined up waiting to see what Chef Vicki and Chef Abe have prepared: It might be American Chop Suey, Taco Bowls or even Scalloped Potatoes with Pulled Pork, served piping hot with care.
Over 4,800 of the meals we've served out of Gus are these hot dinners, made at our Pearl Street Cupboard & Café in Framingham. Additional offerings include sandwiches from the café and breakfast items and meals donated by Starbucks--always popular and much appreciated. Residents can choose their own items, ranging from banana bread and cake pops to bacon, gouda and egg on ciabatta.
The program allows us to bring food directly to lower-income residents to help close the "meal gap" in Marlborough that was identified by the Greater Boston Food Bank.
"Gus the Bus has been a game-changer in our fight against food insecurity. By bringing fresh, healthy food directly to the neighborhoods that need it most, we’re breaking down barriers and ensuring families have consistent access to nutritious meals," said UWOTC Director of Food Security Joe Mina, who often drives the bus. "The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re proud to see real impact happening right at the curbside.”
We're grateful to our partners at the Greater Boston Food Bank and the Cummings Foundation for giving us the seed money to get Gus on the road, and to BJ's Wholesale Club for their support with initial operating expenses and bring this vision to life.
Fundraising will help us grow the program so we can bring meals and bags of groceries to residents in need in additional communities across the region.
Currently Gus is serving 120 households at Jo-Len Village, 118 households at Countryside Village, an affordable housing apartment complex, and 18 individuals at Roland's House, a homeless shelter run by the South Middlesex Opportunity Council.
Learn more at uwotc.org/Gus and follow along at: instagram.com/gus_the_grocery_bus.