Navigating to assistance

Over the last year at Lemontree, we've watched an economic crisis unfold in real time, through the stories neighbors tell us about why they can no longer afford groceries. Lemontree exists because we know that good food exists, but too often, it's hard to find it–even when it's in your own neighborhood.

We're thrilled to announce that we've received support from NextLadder Ventures and FastForward to ensure that families can navigate to food for today and benefits for the future, so that neighbors always know where their next meal will come from, and a rough patch is never a sentence to hunger.

This support comes at a critical time. SNAP participation has fallen by more than 11% across the country in the last year, and more Americans are skipping meals than in 2020, at the height of the pandemic. As essential nutrition benefits are cut, we've seen it become harder for families to meet all their needs–not just food-related ones.

Thanks for narrowing it down for me. It helps a lot while trying to land a job and applying for assistance. You all are life savers, literally." - Jon, a Lemontree user in NYC

Last year, we helped 1 million people navigate to the free food in their neighborhood, but we know that putting food on the table isn't the only challenge that families face.

Lemontree is one of four organizations supported by NextLadder Ventures and FastForward's NavTech initiative–investing in tools that empower people to navigate high-impact decisions around their economic mobility. Joining us in this cohort are:

• Dollar For: a discovery tool helping low-income patients eliminate medical debt
• Empower Work, an organization providing confidential, text-based navigational support to people experiencing difficult work situations
• ASAP, a digital hub helping asylum seekers navigate the US asylum system and connect them with necessary resources