05/30/2025

For Courtney Lewis ’10, food is more than just sustenance; it is a powerful tool for connection, culture, and change. As the founder of Err’body Eats, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity and promoting sustainability education, Lewis is on a mission to nourish both body and spirit.

Lewis grew up in a service-oriented family that taught her the value of giving back from a young age. “My grandmother always reminded me that I was nothing without acknowledging where I came from and the communities that built me,” she reminisced. Her deep-seated commitment to community only strengthened when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and social justice protests took place across the country in 2020. As schools shut down and Americans were living in social isolation, Lewis saw an increase in food insecurity and realized her role in the movement could be helping to feed those in need.

Err’body Eats started small, with just 25 meals a week prepped in Lewis’ home kitchen in June 2020. Within a year, the nonprofit had provided over 25,000 meals to people experiencing food insecurity in D.C. and New York City. Her efforts even earned recognition in “Teen Vogue,” amplifying her impact and pushing her to think bigger. “I didn’t want to be a temporary fix; I wanted to create something that would have a lasting impact.”

Lewis is now taking Err’body Eats beyond meal distribution, expanding its reach through culinary education programs for children in food deserts. She aims to teach them essential cooking skills while fostering an understanding of sustainability, nutrition, and food access. This initiative enhances her nonprofit’s adaptability — a skill she credits to her time at The High School.
 
“Episcopal ensured that I had structure and confidence to pursue whatever I wanted,” Lewis said. “I didn’t have to be scared to try anything because the community there encouraged the students to jump in with open arms and an open heart.”