Feed the Frontlines reinstated in Carmel

Delivering meals from local restaurants to healthcare workers

Hospitals in Carmel are again working 24/7 to respond to a surge in COVID-19. Independent restaurants, still challenged from the initial wave of the pandemic, are facing additional setbacks and possible closures. Therefore, Carmel is gearing back up its Feed the Frontlines initiative to help provide hot meals to frontline workers at IU Health North and Ascension St. Vincent Carmel Hospitals.

Feed the Frontlines Carmel was originally launched in April of this year, then was suspended in late May when the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations subsided. Unfortunately, the recent surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations necessitates reinstatement of the program. Feed the Frontlines Carmel is designed to benefit both healthcare workers and restaurants.

This program is funded from donations of money from the community that were solicited in the spring with the finances managed by the Rotary Club of Carmel and the Rotary District 6560 Foundation. Thankfully, there is enough money remaining in the Rotary-managed Feed the Frontlines funds to continue the program this fall.

Meals from locally-owned restaurants, that are not a part of national chains, will be delivered to healthcare workers on the frontlines. It’s a true win-win: Healthcare workers will enjoy nourishing meals, while local restaurants will receive the critical business they need to continue to keep staff employed.

The program will provide hundreds of meals throughout the week, which will be divided between Ascension St. Vincent Carmel and IU Health North hospitals to support healthcare workers dealing directly with COVID-19 patients.

The City of Carmel and the Rotary Club of Carmel, through the Rotary District 6560 Foundation have pulled together and partnered with IU Health North and Ascension St. Vincent Carmel hospitals to reinstate the program that was so successful in the spring. Previous locally-owned participating restaurants will be contacted to see if they would like to participate again.

If you own a restaurant in the city limits of Carmel and you are not part of a national chain please contact Teresa Lewis at tlewis@carmel.in.gov if you are interested in participating.

About the Rotary District 6560 Foundation

The Rotary District 6560 Foundation was established in 1997 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization the purpose of which is to provide a tax-sheltered destination for Rotary District’s Clubs to raise funds for their charitable service projects that benefit their local communities or communities worldwide.

The Rotary District Foundation of Central Indiana transforms financial support in to generous service projects that change lives not just in Indiana but globally. Our Foundation is delighted to partner with the Carmel Rotary Club and the Carmel Mayor’s office to “Feed the Frontlines.”