Chef Hank Reid has a mission: to feed the hungry in Gwinnett County, one meal at a time. He is the founder of Lettum Eat, a nonprofit organization that prepares and distributes free meals to people in need.
Lettum Eat: A vision to fight food insecurity
Reid started Lettum Eat in 2019, after feeling a divine calling to use his culinary skills to serve his community. He had worked in the restaurant industry for more than 30 years, but he wanted to reach out to people who could not afford the meals he served.
“I worked in tons of restaurants where people couldn’t afford the meals we served,” Reid said. “I wanted to find a way to use that experience to feed people that, along the way all these years, I didn’t have the opportunity to feed.”
Reid had previously owned a bistro and coffee shop in Snellville, but it closed down due to the 2008 economic recession. He then decided to launch Lettum Eat, a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit and caused another economic downturn.
How Lettum Eat works
Reid and his team of volunteer chefs cook hundreds of meals every weekday in the kitchens of local churches. They package and freeze each meal to ensure the food stays at safe temperatures during distribution. They also follow health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.
Lettum Eat distributes food at various locations throughout Gwinnett County during the week. People can drive through the church parking lots and receive free to-go meals, no questions asked. Reid said he wants to create a welcoming and respectful environment for everyone who comes.
“We don’t judge anybody. We don’t ask for any information. We just want to feed them,” Reid said.
The impact of Lettum Eat
Lettum Eat has been a lifeline for many people who are struggling to feed their families amid the pandemic and its economic consequences. According to Feeding America, an estimated 9% of the county’s population, or more than 80,000 people, were food insecure in 2018. That number is likely to have increased due to the pandemic.
Reid said he has seen the demand for his services grow over the past year. He said he has also seen the gratitude and appreciation from the people he serves.
“They say thank you, they say God bless you, they say we love you,” Reid said. “It’s very rewarding to see that we’re making a difference in their lives.”
Lettum Eat finished 2020 with 80,000 meals distributed, and it hopes to distribute 150,000 to 175,000 meals by the end of 2021, Reid said. He said he relies on donations and partnerships with other organizations to fund his operations.
How to get involved with Lettum Eat
Reid said he welcomes anyone who wants to join his cause and help him feed the hungry in Gwinnett County. He said he needs volunteers to help with cooking, packaging, and distributing the meals. He also needs donations of food, money, and equipment.
Reid said he hopes to inspire others to share their gifts and talents with their communities. He said he believes that everyone can make a positive impact in the world.
“We all have something to offer. We all have something to give,” Reid said. “If we all do a little bit, we can do a lot.”
