DNAinfo/Jeff Mays
HARLEM—The Sweet Work Project is officially underway.
Former social worker Gregory Allen has surpassed his $22,835 fund-raising goal to open a pop-up vegetable co-op in an abandoned West Harlem bodega that will be staffed by former foster kids who have grown out of the social services system.
So far, 395 people have pledged $24,058 to the project. A link to the project was also posted on the Beastie Boys' Facebook page.
Because Allen thinks the project will ultimately require up to $250,000 to run in the long-term, fundraising is continuing on Kickstarter, a website that allows people to contribute to a project, until Saturday.
"To see people believe in this is both surprising and empowering," said Allen, 38.