When Does a Restaurant Become an Essential Business?

When Chang saw needs shift from healthcare staff to essential workers who didn’t have access to food, who lost jobs, etc., she started the second project — an initiative with Dr. Marena Lin, Lily Huang of Massachusetts Jobs with Justice, and chef Irene Li of Mei Mei Boston — named Project Restore Us, which “empowers restaurant workers to package groceries tailored to communities in need,” she said. The group works in conjunction with already established community organizations. “We fill in their gaps,” she said, “and reach their people.”