ABOUT UP 2 US FOUNDATION

Up 2 Us Foundation is a food assistance nonprofit that has been working to improve the quality of life for families in need by providing dependable access to reliable, nutritious, and culturally relevant food since 2019.  Having culturally relevant food is an important part of our work because we want to match the unique needs of the diverse communities, we live in. Research shows that having culturally appropriate food to eat can help support family dignity. It can also improve health outcomes and other quality-of-life indicators, limit food waste, and address food justice and health equity. 

Up 2 Us Foundation’s origins reflect the shared responsibility of community and the power of a society that serves and supports each other. This is reflected in the logo that is the West African symbol for support, cooperation and encouragement.  

Our logo reflects the proverb “Woforo dua pa a” - “when you climb a good tree”, from the expression “Woforo dua pa a, na yepia wo” meaning “When you climb a good tree, you are given a push”. In other words, it tells us that when we work for a good cause, we will get support.

Up 2 Us Foundation's logo is part of a category of symbols called Adinkra. These visual symbols encapsulate evocative messages conveying traditional wisdom, philosophical thoughts, ideas or aspects of life or the environment. 

Since its start in 2019, Up 2 Us Foundation, a Maryland 501(c)(3), has been striving to improve the quality of life by providing nutritious and culturally relevant food for our neighbors in need. The Foundation was co-founded by an Asian American mother-daughter duo.