8,000 Meals
Total Meals Distributed
This week we hit the 8,000 meal mark - distributions took place in Mount Vernon, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, and Dobbs Ferry
Testimonial
From Felicia, one of our distribution partners: “I would like to say ‘Thank you’ for everything. The people were so happy to receive the meals. We had just enough meals for the families that came out yesterday. I believe it boosts some of their morale that someone thought enough to cook a meal for them. Some called back to say it was delicious.”
Here to stay
The restaurant crisis will persist long after stay at home orders are lifted. Increased food pantry lines and hunger will persist long after we go back to work.
Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, said “This year, the COVID-19 crisis is driving more of our neighbors into food insecurity and putting a strain on food banks to provide more meals.”
When restaurants close, many former employees will join the lines at food banks.
In an Independent Restaurant Coalition town hall discussion on April 29th, Andrew Zimmern detailed why restaurants are important employers.
Restaurants are—
#1 employer of single mothers
#2 employer of new immigrants
#1 employer of returning citizens from institutions
#1 employer of first time job seekers
As Andrew says, these are “very important populations that we need to be able to support and that [restaurants] have been historically uniquely able to support”. Furthermore, “there is no better way to restore the economy than to support a business where 90 percent or more of revenue dollars go out the backside”—to the supply chain, to employees, to unemployment insurance and social security.
The National Restaurant Association conducted a nationwide survey - “In New York, operators report a 79% decline in sales from April 1 to April 10 when compared to last year”
According to the Independent Restaurant Coalition, ”The industry faces months if not years of uncertainty and significantly lower sales, projected to drop 50% for at least the next 12-18 months” (click here to read the full press release).
On The Line is a local effort committed to playing a role in mitigating the long-term impacts on small businesses and food insecurity.
How You Can Help
Donate here or forward this email and share our mission with your family and friends.
Do you work for a company who will match your donation? Or are you a business interested in a corporate partnership? Please email Michelle Adams for more information.
We’re counting on you to help us serve the community. Thank you for your continued support.
Michelle Adams
Harper’s Restaurant and Saint George Bistro, Founder of On The Line