Hospitals across Hamilton County and Indiana are working 24/7 to respond to COVID-19. Meanwhile, independent restaurants are in peril from the economic impact of the coronavirus with hospitality workers laid off by the thousands and restaurants shuttering across the nation.
Feed the Frontlines Carmel, which launches today, April 10, is designed to benefit both healthcare workers and restaurants.
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This program allows the community to donate meals from local restaurants to 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 help keep staff employed. The program will provide close to 190 meals each day, which will be divided between 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 St. Vincent Carmel Hospitals to replicate the program that has been successful in many other cities across the country. Several local restaurants, including Divvy, Donatello’s, Fork + Ale House, Greek Tony’s, Joe’s Next Door, King Cal, Muldoon’s and Woody’s, will participate in the initial launch. Additional collaborations may be necessary if needs change during the course of this program.
To kick start the initiative, the program has been funded with $10,000 from the City of Carmel. Donations from the community are being solicited to fund the program for as long as possible through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We must do all we can to support our health care workers as they battle this deadly virus. Providing healthy meals, which also has a positive economic impact of supporting our local restaurants, is a wonderful way to help our community through this crisis,” Mayor Jim Brainard said. “I appreciate Rotary stepping in to help facilitate this effort and I am grateful that our local restaurants are making adjustments to accommodate this program. We are stronger when we work together and that is what it will take to get through this pandemic.”
Additional information can be found on the City of Carmel’s COVID-19 “How Can I Help” page by clicking here.
Donations will pay for meals produced by independent local restaurants and delivered to frontline healthcare workers. Any remaining funds at the end of the program will go to the Rotary Club of Carmel’s Community Service Fund. The Rotary Club of Carmel has pledged that remaining funds will continue to feed our community through local food pantries.
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 into generous service projects that change lives not just in Indiana but globally. The Foundation is delighted to partner with the Carmel Rotary Club and the Carmel Mayor’s office to “Feed the Frontlines.”