The world, as we know it now, has changed. From business to personal life, everything has been upended—even on a global scale. While everyone on Earth is digesting the news and trying to adjust to a new way of life, it’s challenging to sort through all the chaos and bad news. In these grim times, it’s a breath of fresh air to read uplifting stories about people doing good and giving back.
This new environment we see ourselves in spares no one. Unfortunately, in what seems like overnight, people young and old are finding themselves food insecure. Whether it is due to a sudden layoff or because children can no longer depend on the meals provided at schools to feed them, hunger is hitting home. Thankfully, kind-hearted individuals are trying to do what they can to combat this.
Take, for instance, celebrity chef José Andrés, who has converted his Mercado Little Spain restaurant into a community kitchen providing takeout meals with substantial discounts or, in some cases, free. Big chains are joining in on the giving: Burger King is offering two free kids meals with any purchase when you use their app. Moe’s Southwest Grill is giving a free kid’s entrée with every adult entrée purchased. Over at &pizza, they’re giving away free pizza to all healthcare workers and hospital staff. Local restaurants are also doing their part to feed our health care workers and residents alike. Large institutions like Disney Resorts have reportedly donated their surplus food to help local communities. Excess inventory of vegetables, fruit, dairy, packaged goods, and banquet meals was donated to Second Harvest Food Bank.
What about hospitality workers who’ve suddenly found themselves jobless? At Furlough Kitchen, a Dallas pop-up nonprofit, laid-off hospitality workers can receive a free curbside pick-up meal Monday through Saturday beginning March 25th. In West Palm Beach, Hospitality Helping Hands or H3, is also helping feed hospitality workers who’ve been laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On their first day, they provided over 1,200 meals to those in need at no cost. H3, like many nonprofits, relies on donations to keep their operations going. Feel free to check out their respective websites and consider donating.
It’s a great time to help others in need right now, and any good news is a little ray of light while we navigate these uncharted times.