Grant will provide New Haven organization with funding for its free breakfast program.
—— Press Release ——
WALLINGFORD, Conn. (November 23, 2015) — The Tariq Farid Foundation today announced an $8,000 grant to Liberty Community Services, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to end homelessness in Greater New Haven. Liberty offers services to homeless individuals who are living with HIV/AIDS, mental illness and/or addiction. The grant will help fund Liberty’s newest program, the Sunrise Café.
Liberty Community Services opened Sunrise Café in March 2015 to meet a growing need among homeless and low-income residents for access to a free breakfast program each weekday morning. The Café currently serves about 100 -1 50 guests daily in the basement of St. Paul and St. James Church in New Haven’s Wooster Square neighborhood, easily accessible to downtown. In addition to offering a nutritious breakfast, the Sunrise Café provides a welcoming and safe space for guests to spend time. This space provides a shelter from the extreme cold or heat, and helps create a sense of community for guests.
“I believe that healthy eating should be an option for everyone, not just those who can afford it.” said Tariq Farid, who operates his own private charitable foundation and is Founder and CEO of Edible Arrangements and numerous other companies. “I was glad to learn that the Sunrise Café is not only feeding people in need of food and community, but is providing nutritious foods such as yogurt and fruit smoothies.”
John Bradley, Executive Director of Liberty Community Services, said, “Here at Liberty Community Services we are thrilled to support the Sunrise Café. Thanks to the Tariq Farid Foundation, our community will not only be able to not have the option of a nutritious meal every morning, but have the opportunity to feel the hope and safety that comes from our wonderful staff and volunteers that are so willing to help one another.”
Kelly Hebrank, Director of the Tariq Farid Foundation, expressed thanks for the initiative of Liberty Community Services to start the Sunrise Café.
“It takes a lot of coordination to start a new program, and the staff and volunteers of Liberty have really demonstrated their commitment to making this program work. We applaud their determination,” She said.
Sunrise Café guests are typically single men or women that have no other source of breakfast food. The staff, volunteers and guests are proud of the sense of community built around the most important meal of the day. The Café would welcome additional support. It is primarily in need of coffee and dairy products, as well as more volunteers.
Founded in 2013 by Tariq Farid, the Founder and CEO of Edible Arrangements, the mission of the Tariq Farid Foundation is to alleviate suffering by providing for the basic needs of food and healthcare, and to improve lives through the support of education and skill development opportunities that enable individuals to reach their full potential.
More information on the Tariq Farid Foundation is available at tariqfaridfoundation.org.
To learn more about Liberty Community Services, or to donate to, or volunteer at, Sunrise Café, visit http://www.libertycs.org/ or call (203) 495-1779.
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