Page 4 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2026 Revere Arabic Community awarded Community Power Grant to advance food justice and systems change Project Bread supports grassroots advocacy to make hunger history statewide T he nonprofi t organization Revere Arabic Community (RAC) has been named a recipient of Project Bread’s inaugural Community Power Grants program. The funding will help to drive grassroots advocacy and systems change to address the root causes of food insecurity, building capacity for smaller organizations where it would not be otherwise possible. RAC was selected from over 40 proposals for its proven impact, advocacy wins and strong po8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Open Tues. - Sat. at 4:00 PM Closed Sun. & Mon. Announcing our Classic Specials Dine In Only:Dine In Only: * FREE Salad with purchase of Entree, Tuesdays & W Entree, Tuesdays & Wednesdays * Cheese Pizza - Only $10 Catch ALL The Live Sports Action On Our Large Screen TV’s Scan & Follow Us on Facebook!Scan & Follow Us on Facebook! tential to build power across communities. “Food insecurity is not just about food — it is about deep structural disparities,” said Project Bread Director of Community Partnerships Adriana Mendes-Sheldon. “True transformation happens when power is redistributed and communities most impacted by food insecurity are part of shaping the solutions. By investing in grassroots leadership and advocacy, we build long-term capacity for organizing and a sustainable impact that goes beyond charity and toward systemic change.” RAC is a grassroots, immiwww.810bargrille.com grant-led organization dedicated to supporting low-income and non-English-speaking families in Revere and surrounding communities as they navigate food insecurity, language barriers and social isolation. Founded in 2022 by Egyptian immigrant and community leader Asmaa Abou-Fouda, RAC centers culturally responsive support and leadership development to ensure immigrant families feel seen, supported and included in their new home. With support from Project Bread’s Community Power Fund, RAC is expanding its Immigrant Family Support and Food Distribution Program to move beyond short-term food assistance and toward long-term systems change. The project aims to recruit and train 10 to 15 immigrant residents in advocacy, public speaking and community organizing. In addition, there will be hosting of SNAP enrollment events, community listening sessions and public forums with local and state leaders to elevate immigrant voices and priorities. RAC has already hosted their fi rst workshop, training 21 participants, and will continue to train immigrant residents in future workshops and events. Together, these eff orts aim to build a permanent, immigrantled advisory network that advances culturally and religiously appropriate food access and shapes more equitable food policies across Massachusetts. “This project is about ensuring immigrant families are not just receiving food, but gaining the confi dence, skills, and power to advocate for themselves,” said RAC Founder and President Asmaa Abou-Fouda. “When families are supported in their own language and culture and given the tools to lead, they can help create food systems and policies that refl ect their values and meet their real needs—today and for generations to come.” Project Bread awarded a total of $97,000 to fi ve Massachusetts organizations through the Community Power Grants program. Grantees received individualized technical assistance from Project Bread’s Research and Evaluation team to develop customized logic models that track each project’s progress and impact. They will also participate in Project Bread’s statewide Community of Practice. Mendes-Sheldon explained that “the program was intentionally designed to provide value beyond funding, off ering key supports that build long-term organizational capacity, sustainability, and impact.” The grants strategically support the Make Hunger History Coalition, Project Bread’s bold statewide initiative mobilizing more than 500 partners around a shared roadmap to permanently end hunger in Massachusetts. This work seeks to intentionally shift the power dynamics in anti-hunger work by providing tools and support for grassroots organizations and individuals to voice their perspectives and become leaders in this statewide movement. The coalition operates through fi ve strategic pillars: ensuring all residents can access and buy food, integrating food security with health care, supporting residents to eat nutritious and local food, enhancing food support programs for priority populations, and addressing root causes that contribute to hunger. RAC | SEE Page 10
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