In light of the Covid-19 pandemic - we have seen an overwhelming response from the community to help local businesses ... Facebook groups like Annapolis Area Take-Out have been set up to communicate what restaurants are serving food have been set up. The City of Annapolis even set up a Google List showing those restaurants that are still serving food.
But Monica Alvarado, of Bread and Butter Kitchen in Eastport and Ryan Sirmons, Lead Organizer of Anne Arundel Connecting Together (ACT) have taken things a step further - setting up a GoFundMe fundraiser called Feed Anne Arundel to raise money to buy meals from local restaurants - to feed the less fortunate. By doing this - they hope to allow restaurants to pay their employees and keep their lights on while serving meals to those in need.
They have set a goal of $50,000 and in just 4 days - they have raised over $10,000.
You can donate HERE
As of March 19 - the following restaurants have pledged their support and many more have been contacted. We will continue to update this list as more respond to our request for help.
Adam's Ribs
Blue Roosters Cafe
Bonefish Grill - Crofton
Bread and Butter Kitchen
Cafe Mezzanote
Caliente Grill
Chart House
Davis' Pub
Grumps Cafe
Harvest Thyme Tavern
Leeward Market
Lighthouse Bistro
Luna Blu Ristorante Italiano
Soul
Taro Smoothies
The full statement of their mission states:
Our goal is simple - support local restaurants and provide meals for community members in need during the COVID 19 crisis.
The current situation is unprecedented and is having a devastating effect on local businesses, especially restaurants. Many have had to lay off employees or shut down completely. In parallel, many families are struggling to make ends meet and providing delicious, healthy meals is becoming increasingly difficult as grocery stores are running out of everything.
We are raising money today so that we can pay local restaurants to make food for those in need. This will allow restaurants to pay their employees and keep their lights on. We are working with restaurants throughout the county to ensure the greatest coverage.
We have connected with AA County Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families. In the immediate future, we are planning to join them at their mobile food pantries to provide prepared meals in addition to groceries. There are three scheduled over the next three weeks and we will need to provide meals to feed over 600 people.
Please consider donating to our fund. Every penny counts. Your donation will support so many people - from cooks and servers to local families in need - the ripple effect will be felt across our community.
