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Ten months of social distancing hardly lends itself to hands-on community volunteerism, but even after the last four years of narcissism and division – and especially in 2020 – Austin recognizes a musical milestone. Meal program and publication from Jazz Mills, Carrie Fussell Bickley, and Jade Skye Hammer, Free Lunch outreaches into Austin to those experiencing homelessness via maximum nourishment. Indie rock firebrand Lolita Carroll (aka Lolita Lynne) and synth-pop peer Dena Hope now take up the standard in a fundraiser matching local ladies of sound with blue holiday cheer. Basically, it s an all lady/nonbinary bill of covers chosen by the artist and written by women! explains Carroll. Our goal is to raise money for Free Lunch and promote their lunch monitor program of regular monthly donations. Free Lunch is very small, but making a big impact on a local level! Jazz is sort of a superstar in the music scene. She s an amazing musician and
Austin musicians create Free Lunch to feed homeless people
Austin 360
Jazz Mills for years prepared a significant amount of extra food when she d cook at home for her and her daughter. She would box the leftovers and distribute them to people experiencing homelessness.
The Austin musician and event planner also hosted holiday parties at her house and collected food and clothing that she would deliver from the back of her car.
When the coronavirus pandemic ended live music and events, Mills lost her main sources of income. But in the tumult, the lifelong social justice crusader found the opportunity to think about how she could effect change in her community. She transformed her passion into her work.