Everyone can agree that the COVID19 Pandemic has affected and changed almost every aspect of life. Millions of people lost their jobs and were left with no source of income. As a result, all of these jobless people were struggling with getting food on the table for themselves and their families. Nicky Bandera, a Quincy native, saw her friend’s businesses closing, jobs ending, and their families struggling. Watching all of this happen she knew that she needed to do something to help.

She didn’t know exactly what to do to help in a time with so much going on, but she wanted to take at least one stressor out of people’s lives--dinner. Nicky said, “On March 24th, 2020 we started cooking. Cooking the lasagna that we make on Easter for our family— from scratch with homemade sauce”. Since the beginning of their business, they have produced over 2500 dinners for Massachusetts and RI workers, including bartenders, dishwashers, hosts, owners, and more. From there, Nicky started designing hats and apparel that have the logo of a tomato, representing the tomato sauce in the lasagna she makes.

Nicky says the conversation about the tomato logo is her favorite thing. “When you wear one out you will get questions, ‘Ummm why/what is that tomato on your head?’. It creates a conversation about the organizations that we support and, in most cases, the person has never heard of Haley House or Bagly or the Community fridges. Our hope is that after those conversations people start supporting them and looking into them and volunteering. The sole reason we exist is to bring light on the work that is happening”. 

Nicky grew up in Quincy looking up to her parents who owned an Italian restaurant, Banderas Market and Deli, serving their family recipes. For school, she studied design in Los Angelos while consistently being involved in the spirits/service industry. She says, “I get the chills saying it, but what I am doing now is what I was made to do. I feel so fortunate every second to be able to serve our community in this creative way and to be a designer for something that maybe does a little good”. 

The coolest thing about Project Paulie is the proceeds of hats and apparel that they sell are donated. The tomato logo attached to each colored hat is partnered with an organization that betters the quality of lives every day. Each organization feeds people every day in different ways. The slogan of Project Paulie is #WeFeedEachOther. Nicky believes in that statement, but also wants to extend the phrase. Her business isn’t just about the food-- it’s about being kind, taking care of the environment, supporting mental health, providing clothing, and safety.  

Project Paulie apparel is available for purchase on their website. 

Donations are also accepted.