Jamaican entrepreneur provides
free meals, with love, to families
By Nelson A. King
With the country at an almost
standstill amid the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic, a young
Jamaican entrepreneur has
taken the initiative in providing
free meals, “with love,” to
families in New York City and
neighboring New Jersey.
Not wanting to standby and
do nothing, as residents are
desperately trying to find ways
to cope, Tashany Brown, who
is also a young mother and
graduate student, told Caribbean
Life on Monday that she
“decided to give back to her
community” through her love
for cooking.
“I really want to cater to
people who are not able to go
outside and join the long lines
for free food programs,” she
said. “We have people who are
at a disadvantage, because they
cannot join the free food pantry
lines or free food giveaways.
“Some people cannot make
those lines because of disabilities
and/or because they
are elderly and have underlying
conditions, because of fear
of getting COVID-19,” Brown
added. “So, those people who
ware unable to go out, we want
to reach out to them by providing
these free meals.
“We don’t want to forget
the moms who lost their jobs
or people who are on HRA
(Human Resource Administration)
aid, because they don’t
churchflatbush holiday market
sundaysthursdays
Caribbean Life, N 26 ovember 13-19, 2020
get it (aid) in a timely manner,”
she continued. “And ordering
out could be costly.”
Hence, recognizing this
need, Brown said she decided
to form a local food program,
Meals Xo.
She said Meals Xo serves
meals to families in parts of
New York City and neighboring
New Jersey free of cost.
Currently, Brown said personally
she serves New York
City and Hudson County, N;
while fellow cook, Danielle
Dawson, also a young entrepreneur,
mom and wife, serves
Essex County, NJ and surrounding
areas.
Both women, with the help
of other local cooks and volunteer
delivery services, prepare
and deliver the meals on
Sundays.
Brown, who also operates
two business, said each cook
prepares for three families.
“It is a pleasure taking a
couple hours on Sundays to
assist the families,” she said.
Brown said Dawson saw her
promoting the program, asking
Meals prepared by Tashany Brown, getting ready for delivery
in New York City. Tashany Brown/Meals Xo
folks to nominate a family
in need of assistance, and
decided that she, too, would
“love to prepare and deliver
these healthy meals.”
“So far, it has been a positive
experience,” Brown said.
“Families are grateful for the
meals and (are) raving about
it online.
“All requests for meals must
be made Monday through
Wednesday,” she added. “As we
get more certified cooks on
board, we’ll increase the areas
(to serve).”
If the community wants to
donate to the program, nominate
a family in need, or cooks
want to volunteer, they can
email at mealsxo20@gmail.
com.
You can also follow Meals Xo
on Facebook and Instagram.
Meals prepared and delivered
by Meals Xo in New
York City and New Jersey.
Tashany Brown/Meals Xo
CHURCH AVE. & FLATBUSH AVE. FROM NOV. 15TH TO DEC. 20TH
in-store holiday activitiesgiveawaysdiscounts
pop-up live music
from the Blue Angels Music and Arts Program drumline strolling santa
through Watoto Entertainment
WIN OUR WEEKLY GIFT BAG OF ITEMS FROM BID STORES.
Pick up your free Thanksgiving feast (to go) on Thanksgiving Day at
the Kings Theatre from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., while supplies last.
Social distancing and masks required.
HTTPS://BIT.LY/36KAVXI
/36KAVXI
/36KAVXI
link
