Wichita restaurants start programs to feed healthcare, hospitality workers for free
Among the most impacted in the Wichita community by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and all of its related closings are healthcare workers and restaurant workers.
And over the past few weeks, several industrious members of the Wichita restaurant community have come up with innovative programs that will help feed members of both of those groups.
The organizers say they are driven in some cases by a feeling of helplessness that is soothed by generosity. Coming up with helpful programs, some say, also fills time for restaurant owners who are used to constant motion and now find themselves a little bored and a lot restless.
Here’s a look at some of the noteworthy programs that have sprung up recently. If you know of one I’m missing, e-mail me at dneil@wichitaeagle.com.
Tacos for Heroes by Taco Locale
Taco Locale owner Carlos Vera lately has had a lot of time alone in his tiny taco shop inside Revolutsia, 2721 E. Central, to think.
He decided that what Wichita needed was a program that not only fed overwhelmed health care workers but also got money flowing through local restaurants, who are suffering from a drastic loss of business.
His solution is Tacos for Heroes, which he launched last week. Vera set up a web page where people can donate money — as little or as much as they can. He’s then using that money to make taco lunches that he drops off at local hospitals, where workers are fighting coronavirus and appreciate an occasional break from the cafeteria.
Every $10 that’s donated covers one lunch, Vera said, and as of late last week, he’d already made drops of taco meals with chips and salsa at both of Wichita’s main hospitals.
“A lot of our customers are Wesley people, so there was hype about it,” Vera said. “They they were fighting over who got them.”
His goal is to get to the point that he’s delivering 100 meals a day.
Vera said he’s not making a profit on the program — he’s making a meal for $10 that he’d normally charge $16 for — but it keeps him busy, keeps his inventory moving and keeps cash flowing through his business, allowing him to continue supporting the 12 to 15 local businesses he makes purchases from.
If the program takes off, he said, he plans to invite other restaurants to participate.
People who want to contribute may visit tacolocaleict.com.
Feed Wichita’s Healthcare Workers by Justin Bjork
Justin Bjork is now in real estate, but he’s been involved in the restaurant business his whole life. His mother, Pam, once owned Larkspur restaurant and he’s been involved with Nitro Joes and other projects in the past.
He’s still working, Bjork said, but business has slowed down, and he started thinking about ways he could help hospital workers.
“I know food,” he said. “Food is my love language.”
He and Vera actually came up with similar ideas, and this week, they’re partnering up. Bjork has his own page set up on Facebook where people can donate money to feed hospital workers, and he’s using the money to deliver restaurant food to the big hospitals.
He’s funneling the money he raises this week to Vera for his project. But in coming weeks, he’ll be partnering with other restaurants like Sunflower Espresso and Big Larry’s Burgers in Valley Center to do different meals. He’s planning a coffee and doughnut combo as well as one with burgers and fries. Bjork said he’ll be orchestrating the details and managing the drop offs.
“I wanted to do local restaurants because I know a ton of them are struggling,” he said. “I kind of wanted to spread the love via food.”
Bjork said his goal is to do drop offs at least once a week. So far, he’s raised $406, though his goal is $5,000.
He’s also ordered several banners thanking healthcare workers, and he hopes to place them at hospital employee entrances.
“It’s double duty,” he said. “I want to help our local restaurants and purveyors, and this helps them and feeds people that appreciate it that are on the front lines.”
To donate to Bjork’s project, visit this Facebook page.
Meddys’ meals for restaurant workers
Meddys owner Alex Harb, who early in the pandemic organized a program to feed local school children, now has another project. This time, he’s trying to feed restaurant employees who are out of work.
He’s asking people to nominate restaurant employees in need, and he’s hoping to award 500 memberships via his Meddys app that will be good for one free $10 meal a week for a year at any Meddys restaurant. A winner’s account will be reloaded with $10 each week.
To nominate a person, Harb asks people to visit his post about the giveaway on Meddys’ Facebook page and tag that person in the comments. He’s accepting nominations through April and will randomly select 500 recipients on May 1.
“We wish we could provide these gift cards to everyone struggling during this time, as we know there are far more than 500 people who need the assistance,” the post on Facebook reads. “For those that receive the gift cards, we know this is just a drop in the bucket, but we are hopeful that this will provide the extra hope, help, and sunshine in each of their very deserving lives.”
Chick N Max meals for hospitality workers
This local chicken chain, owned by Max Sheets, just launched a program offering 50 free meals a day Mondays through Wednesdays for displaced hospitality workers. They just need to fill out a form, a link to which is on the Chick N Max Facebook page.
The deal will be offered out of a different Chick N Max restaurant each day. On Mondays, people will be able to pick up a chicken salad sandwich and a side at the Maize Road location. On Tuesdays, they’ll get two smoked drumsticks at a side at the Greenwich location. On Wednesdays, they’ll get a pulled smoked pork sandwich and a side on West Street.
Those interested must place orders before 2 p.m then pick up the meals between 4 and 6 p.m. Owners say they’ll keep the offer going as long as there’s a need.
Pinole Blue food giveaway
This tortilla factory at 242 N. Cleveland, which also frequently sells food, is free meals to 50 displaced restaurant workers from 1 to 3 p.m. each Wednesday through April. This week, they gave away eight ground beef tacos with a box of rice. First come, first served.
Other restaurants offering discounts, deals for people in need
Chicken N Pickle, 1240 N. Greenwich: This local restaurant has been doing a variety of giveaways and discounts, including its “Pie It Forward” special, which asks customers to buy one pot pie for $8 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, and in return the restaurant will donate a second one to a local organization feeding the community.
Greystone, 9719 E. 21st St.: This restaurant is offering 50 percent off meals for local first responders, restaurant workers, etc. using the promo code LOCAL HERO 2. Order online at https://greystonewichita.com/
This story was originally published April 15, 2020 at 1:52 PM.
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