<p>Red McGrath dreamt of a food truck that handed out free meals.</p><p>Unfortunately, he didn&#39;t live long enough to see his dream come true. Red passed away at 29 years old. </p><p>But alongside her two surviving siblings, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nhcaitlin/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Caitlin McGrath-Levesque</a> took it upon herself to carry out Red&#39;s life work.</p><p>That work is <a href="https://www.redsgoodvibes.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Red&#39;s Good Vibes</a>, a top Seacoast nonprofit that hands out free meals - no questions asked - prepared in their signature red food truck. Additionally, they manage five (and growing) community fridges currently located in Portsmouth, Kittery, Berlin, Exeter, and Newmarket.</p><p>Since starting operations in 2019, Red&#39;s Good Vibes has served over 500,000 meals. They&#39;ve changed lives, and have completely redefined the concept of giving freely.</p><p>From the West End of Portsmouth, Caitlin joins <a href="https://www.instagram.com/troy_farkas/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">host Troy Farkas</a> to discuss what happened to Red, the early days of Red&#39;s Good Vibes, why they received criticism during the pandemic, the power players they&#39;ve received donations from, why they stick to their &quot;no questions asked&quot; ethos, and the expansion of community fridges. </p><p>Plus, the two discuss the incredible ways the Seacoast has stepped up in recent weeks to address the pause on SNAP benefits.</p><p>To learn more about community fridge locations and what kind of items you can donate, just visit <a href="https://www.redsgoodvibes.com/communityfridge" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">here.</a></p><p>CHAPTERS:</p><ul><li>Opening montage (00:00)</li><li>Seacoast Stories LIVE on 12/5! (01:45)</li><li>Red&#39;s tragic passing in 2018 (02:46)</li><li>SPONSOR: Seacoast 2 Summit (24:45)</li><li>The chaotic early days of Red&#39;s Good Vibes during COVID (26:12)</li><li>The growth of the food truck on the Seacoast despite the doubters (36:22)</li><li>SPONSOR: Little Tree Education (50:20)</li><li>The expansion of community fridges (51:55)</li><li>How Seacoast businesses are stepping up to face food insecurity in tough times (01:03:25)</li><li>Why giving back is &quot;intimidating&quot; (01:10:28)</li><li>How do you want to be remembered? (01:17:32)</li></ul><p><br></p><p>EVENTS:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQO8gLDAHiM/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠Seacoast Stories LIVE!⁠⁠</a> On Friday, December 5, the Seacoast&#39;s biggest podcast takes the 3S Artspace stage for an evening of community, connection, and conversation. Secure your tickets <a href="https://www.3sarts.org/events/475349656597" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠here⁠⁠</a>.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>SPONSORS:</p><ul><li><a href="https://little-tree-education.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Little Tree Education</a>⁠: Get 50% off your application fee with code SEACOASTSTORIES when <a href="https://little-tree-education.com/apply-nh-schools" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">applying your child</a> for Spring/Fall 2026 at the Seacoast&#39;s top Montessori school!</li><li><a href="https://www.seacoast2summit.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Seacoast 2 Summit⁠</a>: How much is your home worth for a short/mid-term rental property? Find out <a href="https://bit.ly/48TzVwJ" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠here ⁠</a>for FREE! </li><li>To get started on a path toward better financial investment, email our friend David Higgins <a href="mailto:david.higgins@wellsfargoadvisors.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠david.higgins@wellsfargoadvisors.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>! He&#39;s a Portsmouth legend, and you won&#39;t regret it.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Investment and insurance products are Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency, Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate, Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested.</strong></p><ul><p><em>Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Clearing Services (WFCS), LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo &amp; Company. WFCS uses the trade name Wells Fargo Advisors. 1 North Jefferson, St. Louis, MO 63103.</em></p></ul><ul><p><br></p></ul>

Seacoast Stories

Troy Farkas

How Red's Good Vibes Turned Tragedy Into FREE Meals & 5 Community Fridges! (Despite Criticism & "Territorial" Nonprofits)

NOV 10, 202580 MIN
Seacoast Stories

How Red's Good Vibes Turned Tragedy Into FREE Meals & 5 Community Fridges! (Despite Criticism & "Territorial" Nonprofits)

NOV 10, 202580 MIN

Description

<p>Red McGrath dreamt of a food truck that handed out free meals.</p><p>Unfortunately, he didn&#39;t live long enough to see his dream come true. Red passed away at 29 years old. </p><p>But alongside her two surviving siblings, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nhcaitlin/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Caitlin McGrath-Levesque</a> took it upon herself to carry out Red&#39;s life work.</p><p>That work is <a href="https://www.redsgoodvibes.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Red&#39;s Good Vibes</a>, a top Seacoast nonprofit that hands out free meals - no questions asked - prepared in their signature red food truck. Additionally, they manage five (and growing) community fridges currently located in Portsmouth, Kittery, Berlin, Exeter, and Newmarket.</p><p>Since starting operations in 2019, Red&#39;s Good Vibes has served over 500,000 meals. They&#39;ve changed lives, and have completely redefined the concept of giving freely.</p><p>From the West End of Portsmouth, Caitlin joins <a href="https://www.instagram.com/troy_farkas/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">host Troy Farkas</a> to discuss what happened to Red, the early days of Red&#39;s Good Vibes, why they received criticism during the pandemic, the power players they&#39;ve received donations from, why they stick to their &quot;no questions asked&quot; ethos, and the expansion of community fridges. </p><p>Plus, the two discuss the incredible ways the Seacoast has stepped up in recent weeks to address the pause on SNAP benefits.</p><p>To learn more about community fridge locations and what kind of items you can donate, just visit <a href="https://www.redsgoodvibes.com/communityfridge" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">here.</a></p><p>CHAPTERS:</p><ul><li>Opening montage (00:00)</li><li>Seacoast Stories LIVE on 12/5! (01:45)</li><li>Red&#39;s tragic passing in 2018 (02:46)</li><li>SPONSOR: Seacoast 2 Summit (24:45)</li><li>The chaotic early days of Red&#39;s Good Vibes during COVID (26:12)</li><li>The growth of the food truck on the Seacoast despite the doubters (36:22)</li><li>SPONSOR: Little Tree Education (50:20)</li><li>The expansion of community fridges (51:55)</li><li>How Seacoast businesses are stepping up to face food insecurity in tough times (01:03:25)</li><li>Why giving back is &quot;intimidating&quot; (01:10:28)</li><li>How do you want to be remembered? (01:17:32)</li></ul><p><br></p><p>EVENTS:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQO8gLDAHiM/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠Seacoast Stories LIVE!⁠⁠</a> On Friday, December 5, the Seacoast&#39;s biggest podcast takes the 3S Artspace stage for an evening of community, connection, and conversation. Secure your tickets <a href="https://www.3sarts.org/events/475349656597" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠here⁠⁠</a>.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>SPONSORS:</p><ul><li><a href="https://little-tree-education.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Little Tree Education</a>⁠: Get 50% off your application fee with code SEACOASTSTORIES when <a href="https://little-tree-education.com/apply-nh-schools" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">applying your child</a> for Spring/Fall 2026 at the Seacoast&#39;s top Montessori school!</li><li><a href="https://www.seacoast2summit.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Seacoast 2 Summit⁠</a>: How much is your home worth for a short/mid-term rental property? Find out <a href="https://bit.ly/48TzVwJ" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠here ⁠</a>for FREE! </li><li>To get started on a path toward better financial investment, email our friend David Higgins <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>! He&#39;s a Portsmouth legend, and you won&#39;t regret it.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Investment and insurance products are Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency, Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate, Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested.</strong></p><ul><p><em>Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Clearing Services (WFCS), LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo &amp; Company. WFCS uses the trade name Wells Fargo Advisors. 1 North Jefferson, St. Louis, MO 63103.</em></p></ul><ul><p><br></p></ul>