Today the Martin Richard Foundation and Salem-based nonprofit Sailing Heals announced the launch of Sailing Heals Meals, a new initiative aimed at feeding frontline medical workers on the North Shore while giving local restaurants a much-needed boost to business and helping a local nonprofit keep its mission alive amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In honor of One Boston Day, Sailing Heals Meals will provide 350 boxed meals to feed the entire overnight shift at North Shore Medical Center’s Salem Campus.

“First and foremost, we want to show support and gratitude for our caregivers. These are the people showing up every day to take care of us and our loved ones -- putting their own health at risk, with families at home and a tremendous amount of stress and intensity at their jobs,” said Bill Richard, co-founder of the Martin Richard Foundation and Board Member of Sailing Heals. “At the same time, we hope this program will be a lifeline to local businesses who have been deeply impacted by this pandemic, as well as a bridge for our partners at Sailing Heals as they repurpose their mission on supporting caregivers with meals rather than a healing day at sea. We can do our part but we’re asking others to join the effort.”

Initial funding for the program is being provided through a grant from the Martin Richard Foundation, with a goal of attracting additional local funding partners to expand to additional restaurant partners and deepen impact for health care workers.

Sailing Heals has been a long standing supporter and provider for the caregiver community by offering healing trips at sea with local cancer patients and their caregivers. Without the ability to host patients and caregivers on the water for the near future, and with their mission focused on caring for caregivers, the organization has refocused its support to providing meals to those serving the community in our hospitals.

“At this critical time, we are grateful to help provide nutritious meals to health care workers through the generosity of the Martin Richard Foundation and others who step up to the plate to join our effort,” said Trisha Gallagher Boisvert, Executive Director of Sailing Heals. “We are proud to support our caregivers; whether on the water or through this effort, the work continues.”

The partnership plans to continue the initiative through the COVID-19 crisis.

For more information and to support Sailing Heals Meals, visit SailingHeals.org or call 978-914-6609.