While the city of New York is in total lockdown due to the rapid and catastrophic spread of the deadly coronavirus, having access to nourishing, affordable food is becoming harder than ever. Marginalized populations, including members of the Black Trans and Gender Non-Conforming (GNC) community, are especially vulnerable to the current food shortages: more than 20% are unemployed, and 42% live below the poverty line. Those who work in hospitality are currently displaced by the shutdown of the city’s restaurants, bars and cafes — while the supermarket and bodega shelves are stripped of fridge and pantry essentials.

To help alleviate this crisis, The Okra Project — an initiative that seeks to address the hardships faced by Black Trans people by bringing them home-cooked, healthy and culturally specific meals and resources — is taking a step forward and delivering meals to Black Trans and GNC folk around the New York City area, free of charge.

Hey people! So we found a delivery driver, and now it’s time to get food to the people! The Okra Project Team is working hard to feed as many Black Trans folx as possible. If you’re a Black Trans person is NYC, WE WILL BRING FOOD TO YOU TODAY. DM us ASAP! pic.twitter.com/9oX1ndgtqp

— TheOkraProject (@TheOkraProject) March 19, 2020

Hey Family! We are working on getting more food and supply bags to Black Trans folx in need this evening! We ask for your continued patience as we do our best to serve as many people as possible. We love you all so much, and it is an honor to serve our community❤️ pic.twitter.com/hAt4P43Lvq

— TheOkraProject (@TheOkraProject) March 20, 2020

“In anticipation of increased food, supply, and medication shortages due to coronavirus, we are attempting to increase our mutual aid to Black Trans folk in need,” the Okra collective wrote in a statement. “Our community is especially susceptible to inequity of resources. Therefore, The Okra Project Team is working hard to assemble more bags of food and supplies for Black Trans folk in NYC.” 

The project is based on individual donations, hiring Black Trans chefs to cook and provide meals to those experiencing food insecurity. All donations can be made to their PayPal account, and those who wish to receive food from the initiative should follow The Okra Project team on Twitter and fill out the project’s COVID-19 aid form. The organization soon plans to extend its reach to New Jersey and Philly, fighting food insecurity across several states in the Northeast region.

If you are a Black Trans person in NYC/S. Jersey/Philly in need of food during this time, still fill out the form below. We are working as hard as we can to continue to me the growing need. We love you ✊?https://t.co/qtD7tV4jBq

— TheOkraProject (@TheOkraProject) March 24, 2020