Root Causes Fresh Produce Program COVID-19

Thanks to those who already donated to our original GoFundMe. Unfortunately, COVID-19 continues on, and so does food insecurity.  We want to provide home deliveries at least until the end of the year for our patients, but we need your help to do so!

The Root Causes Fresh Produce Program is committed to getting food to those who need it most, especially those with transportation barriers, chronic conditions, and those directly affected by COVID-19. Since April, we have served over 200 patients and their households per month with recurring contactless deliveries fresh locally sourced fruits, vegetables, eggs, and nonperishable foods, as well as home gardening kits for pediatric patients. We've also delivered home essentials (soap,  hand sanitizer) and masks for the whole family made by Covering the Triangle and other partners. Our community partners include Farmer Foodshare, Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, and Duke Campus Farm. 

Our adult patients are referred to us by providers at the Duke Outpatient Clinic and and our pediatric patients from Duke Healthy Lifestyles Clinic. Many of these patients have multiple chronic health conditions that make them particularly vulnerable to unstable food access. We are continuing to expand, especially to Latinx residents of Durham who are being hit hardest by COVID-19 (because structural inequities and racism make it tougher for people of color in this pandemic). 

We've been so grateful for any and all support. Any amount of money donated would go to buying food, both produce and non-perishables. And it would help us compensate our non-student volunteers for gas and time going into getting food to hundreds of people. Please consider donating what you are able... any amount would be much appreciated! If you're affiliated with Duke Health and you'd like to get involved as a delivery driver, please email [email redacted]