Billie Eilish, Grammy-winning artist and outspoken vegan, has plenty of reasons to be proud of her mother, Maggie Baird. Most recently, Baird joined forces with Conscious Cleanup, Eat Drink Vegan, and other organizations to launch Support + Feed, an initiative that connects first responders and vulnerable populations with free plant-based food. Baird explained the initiative’s origins:
This started from our family’s concern for the many wonderful, small, plant-based restaurants in LA during this very challenging time. We wanted to support them and at the same time support people who are in need right now.
Working with local vegan restaurants in Los Angeles, Support + Feed organizes meal deliveries to hospitals, shelters, senior centers, and police stations. During the week, participating plant-based restaurants accept donations or “orders” from compassionate customers taking part in the Support + Feed project. At the end of each week, Conscious Cleanup works with the restaurants to coordinate meals and deliver them to donation centers.
Some of the restaurants that have participated are Pura Vita, Crossroads Kitchen, Sage Plant Based Bistro, by CHLOE., and Real Food Daily. Baird went on to say:
The benefits of a plant-based diet are extremely well documented … not only for individuals but in the fight to prevent the climate crisis. Of course and importantly, it is also cruelty-free. We wanted … to support the incredible restaurants that are promoting this way of eating but also believe that plant-based food would be the healthiest, most nutritious (and safest) food we could provide to those in need.
Mercy For Animals has long known the value and impact of delivering healthy plant-based food to communities. Recently, we partnered with Community Solidarity—America’s largest vegetarian hunger-relief organization—and donated 2,000 meals to those in need in New York City at two of Community Solidarity’s food shares.
In this extraordinarily challenging time, as families struggle to afford healthy meals, we must work together to create systems and economies that sustain us all. You can support our crucial food policy work by making a donation today.
Want to do more? We can all do our part to support small vegan businesses by ordering contactless delivery, buying gift cards, or leaving positive reviews on social media. Check out HappyCow to find a business near you.
