SUPPORT OUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS – YOUR “HOW TO” GUIDE
All – Things remain and will continue to be incredibly difficult for all those in the restaurant/hospitality industry. But this is the most resilient, creative and scrappy industry I’ve ever had the pleasure of being close to. But straight up, THEY NEED OUR HELP NOW MORE THAN EVER!
What can you do to help?
One of the most meaningful and direct things you can do (if you are in a position to afford it right now) is support the workers in the restaurant industry that are being so directly impacted. The Frankie Lemon Foundation has set up a Triangle Restaurant Workers Relief Fund to lend a hand to so many of those restaurant workers in our community who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Donate here today!
Here are some other “direct impact” ideas (constantly changing) to support our incredible local food scene.
ORDER TAKEOUT!
You love their food – just swing by and pick it up! Most restaurants allow you to order and pay online or pay over the phone with a CC and be in and out in a jiffy. “No Contact” deliveries is the new norm. Most have designated parking just for this. Don’t forget to tip!!
How do you keep up with all that our restaurants are doing?
TAKEOUT/DELIVERY LINKS (we will update):
WRAL has a tremendous Triangle-wide list going. Check it out here.
In Chapel Hill/Carrboro, the most comprehensive list is offered here and compiled by the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau.
In Durham, Discover Durham has a fantastic list here.
The Downtown Raleigh Alliance has a great downtown Raleigh list here.
And over in Hillsborough, here is a great list compiled by the Town of Hillsborough.
And finally, because this is such a fast moving and changing environment, please follow your favorite local restaurants on their social media platforms.
BUY GIFT CARDS
Buy gift cards that you can use later! Help them over the short-term hump. This is not the perfect solution, but cash (flow) is king right now. Buy the gift cards now, they get to enjoy the “cash advance” during this difficult time, and then after we get beyond this, you get to enjoy a fabulous meal (or two, or three)! A win, win! Even better, go ahead and get ALL your holiday shopping done NOW! Who doesn’t love a restaurant gift card as a gift? That’s a win, win, win! For many restaurants, you can do this online – even better!
PEOPLE DOING GOOD
In closing this week, I wanted to share three examples of people/groups facing adversity and tackling it head-on with some incredible creativity. There are others, but here are three. We will feature more as we lean of them each week. If you know of similar programs, please email me at [email protected].
Love & Nourish 2020 in Durham
Tom Meyer at Southern Harvest Hospitality Group has partnered with The Honeysuckle Farm and Unique Places To Save to create Love and Nourish 2020. The idea is simple and tremendously impactful – support local restaurants who can in turn provide food to those in need all while your family enjoys a meal together!! Win, win, win! Here’s how it works: Buy a Family Pack (feeds 4 + leftovers!) for $60, and $10 goes back to help provide meals to families in need identified by with Families Moving Forward, Durham Public School Foundation, Sunday Supper Durham and End Hunger Durham. And, it keeps people in the hospitality industry employed and doing what they love! Here is the Love and Nourish website to order your family’s meal and/or make a donation!
Carrboro Group Forms Local Food Hub
In Carrboro, they have created the Carrboro United Local Food Hub – a one-stop shop for nutritious food from local chefs and farmers – Firsthand Foods Meat Box, ACME, Neal’s Deli and Glasshalfull. Pick up fresh produce, quality meats, and prepared meals three times a week in the heart of Carrboro. Feed your family while putting money back into the local economy. The next hub day is Saturday, March 21. Pick-up is at East Main Square, 300 East Main Street, Carrboro (in front of Cat’s Cradle). Order by noon of the day prior to hub day. Go to their website here and select “Carrboro United” from the menu.
Get Free Cookies Today (Friday, March 20) in Wake Forest!
Chris Duke, proprietor of Anna’s Gourmet Goodies is stepping up and helping out the best way he knows how – giving away free cookies! If you worked in RTP during the 80’s and 90’s, you probably remember the iconic Deli Box eatery and their ‘Free Cookie Fridays’. Anna’s Gourmet Goodies wants to help local restaurants that are transitioning to a carry-out model by sponsoring Free Cookie Friday this week at The Burger Shop in downtown Wake Forest. The first 50 patrons who buy a burger (that’s right – don’t be late) will get a free chocolate chip cookie. Support a local restaurant and get a free cookie? TGIF!
See you today at: The Burger Shop – 203 Wait Avenue, Wake Forest, NC
Thanks so much to all. Together – being smart, vigilant, compassionate and calm – we will get through this. Together. My best, Sean Lennard, aka Triangle Food Guy
Food Bank Corner
- Also, don’t forget the great work of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and the people they serve during this time. The Food Bank is assessing what their agencies and the people they support will need, and working to keep their partner agencies (the pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters who serve people) stocked with food and supplies. We are also taking extra precautions around food safety and hygiene. Consider an online donation today!
