LYNN — Lynn resident Alysha Bingham is teaming up with the Salvation Army to distribute 100 free hot meals to people in need Tuesday afternoon.
Bingham will be distributing meals containing meat, vegetables and a starch at Manning Field, the Salvation Army’s food distribution site, from 1-4 p.m.
The meals are being donated through Bingham’s charitable organization, the Alysha Hill Bingham Leadership Foundation, which provides scholarships and mentorship for first-generation college students.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic forced Bingham to cancel fundraisers she would typically hold during this time of year, she began thinking of other ways she could give back to the community.
After reaching out to ward councilors in Lynn, City Councilor Fred Hogan put her in touch with Capt. Kevin Johnson, who runs the Lynn Salvation Army with his wife, Helen. From there, Bingham ran the idea of distributing hot meals past Johnson, who was more than happy to have her, she said.
“It’s extremely important because I know there’s a lot of people in need right now,” said Bingham, 37. “A lot of people aren’t working. Funds are low. I just feel so bad for families who are not able to celebrate Thanksgiving because they don’t have the means so I’m hoping this helps.”
Since starting her foundation in 2019, Bingham has been able to give out three scholarships, the first of which was given to a Lynn Classical High School graduate, where she also attended school before moving onto Northeastern University.
A first-generation college student herself, Bingham said she was inspired to help others based on her own experience. She credits the scholarships and mentorship she received with helping her finish her undergraduate degree at Northeastern, where she also obtained her master’s degree in mechanical engineering.
Bingham said it can be easy for college students to give up before obtaining their college degree if they don’t have mentors to keep them going. A lot of teachers in the Lynn community have told her that they have seen many students with full scholarships decide to leave those colleges because they become homesick.
Those students don’t realize how much that decision impacts their future at the time, Bingham said, noting that she makes it a point to stay in touch with and provide mentorship to the students who receive scholarships from her foundation.
Her foundation’s scholarship recipients will be with her on Tuesday to help hand out the free meals, she said.
“Because of COVID, it’s now such trying times,” said Bingham. “I wanted to provide some joy to families by providing free hot meals.”
For more information about Bingham and her foundation, visit her website.
