Remember when we told you about Joi Chevalier (and her team) and the plan to provide hot meals to Austinites in need because of the pandemic? (The story was called “How To Feed Thousands During A Pandemic… And Do It Fast,” in case you want to give it a read.)

For a little recap, here was the idea – buy unused food sitting in distribution warehouses (that would otherwise go to waste because restaurants, schools, etc. are no longer buying as much food), use local kitchen spaces to turn that food into prepared meals, hire local restaurant workers to help do the cooking, and partner with direct-service organizations/ nonprofits to distribute the food to those in need.

Since we first wrote about this story, the idea has been funded and meals are being made every day. The initiative is called Keep Austin Together and they’re already making about 650 – 750 meals a day, with plans to double that later in the month. The food is being cooked and then given to a variety of different organizations for distribution, including Keep Austin Fed, Black Mamas ATX, Dove Springs Proud, and the Del Valle Community Coalition.

Want to support their work? Volunteers are needed to help the nonprofits and community groups distribute the meals to local families. Click here to fill out a volunteer interest form and Keep Austin Together will connect you with a local nonprofit that needs your help.