### This fall, we invite you to join the fight against food insecurity

**Food in focus**

Autumn is here; the harvest season. Naturally, it’s a time that we think about sharing a delicious meal around the table with our nearest and dearest. As this year has been especially challenging for our nation, the emphasis on the importance of our basic needs has never been greater. 
Unfortunately, many struggle to meet those needs with ease. While our platform is typically dedicated to improving cannabis access for patients and consumers, today we’re here to spotlight FOOD access and to stir up some giving spirit. 

**A different kind of food fight**

While children, seniors, rural citizens, and minority groups are among those at the highest risk for food insecurity, this issue can affect anyone—and it may even affect those you’d never expect. According to <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/09/27/912486921/food-insecurity-in-the-u-s-by-the-numbers" target="_blank">an article published by NPR this fall</a>, as many as one in four households in America have experienced food insecurity this year—with the pandemic contributing to a 50% increase over 2019. Many families and individuals are just one unexpected expense away from finding themselves unable to fill their plate. That’s why we’re asking our friends to join us...

**Feed the Block: Every leaf brings relief!**

Now through December 5th, 2020, we’re collecting donations to feed our neighbors in each of the communities where we live and work. Due to the implications of Covid-19, many food banks will only accept cash donations at this time. That said, we’ve made it easy for you to help.

When you visit our dispensary, simply tell a Curaleaf associate that you’d like to “Feed the Block.” All donors will be invited to sign their own leaf to highlight their support!

Our collective fundraising efforts will provide food assistance through the following partners in each of the following states:

- Arizona: Paradise Valley Emergency Food Bank, Waste Not
- Arkansas: Potluck Food Rescue
- Colorado: Metro Caring
- Connecticut: <a href="http://www.handsonhartford.org/" target="_blank">Hands on Hartford</a>
- Florida: The ISeeYou Foundation
- Illinois: <a href="https://growinghomeinc.org/" target="_blank">Growing Home</a>
- Massachusetts: <a href="https://www.friendlyhousema.org/" target="_blank">Friendly House, Inc</a>
- Maryland: <a href="https://www.gangstervegan.com/blog" target="_blank">Gangster Vegan</a>
- Maine: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kaydenzkitchen/" target="_blank">Kaydenz Kitchen Food Pantry</a>
- Michigan: Food Gatherers, Loaves and Fishes
- Nevada: Vegas Roots
- New Jersey: Borough of Bellmawr
- New York: <a href="https://www.lihomeless.org/" target="_blank">Long Island Homeless Coalition</a>, <a href="http://www.localatheart.org/" target="_blank">Local at Heart</a>, Plattsburgh Rotary 
- North Dakota: Great Plains Food Bank
- Ohio: The Food Pantry Network, Akron Canton Food Bank
- Oregon: <a href="https://www.equitablegivingcircle.org/" target="_blank">Equitable Giving Circle</a>
- Pennsylvania: Central PA Food Bank, Urban Affairs Coalition

For more information on how to help Feed the Block in your state, contact your nearest [Curaleaf Dispensary](https://curaleaf.com/locations/). 

Thank you for your support of the underserved populations in our local communities. It feels
good to spread the local love, and even better when we do it together!