—Lakeview Pantry has partnered with the Lavin Family Foundation and Cubs Charities to address food insecurity in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. #FeeditForward, created by the Lavin Family Foundation, is an initiative that uses grant funds provided by Lavin and Cubs Charities to purchase chef-prepared boxed meals from local restaurants: Ann Sather, 4 Star Restaurants ( Crosby's and Smoke Daddy ), Munster Restaurant Group ( Lady Gregory's ), Four Corners Bars ( Ranalli's ) and the Fifty/50 Restaurant Group ( West Town Bakery ). The meals are delivered by Lakeview Pantry to its clients and multiple other social service agencies serving low-income residents and seniors throughout Chicagoland, including Thresholds, The Kindness Campaign, La Casa Norte, New Moms, and Centers for New Horizons. See LakeviewPantry.org.
—North Riverside's Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care has launched an employee food pantry initiative and is seeking donations of non-perishable pre-packaged food, personal care items and cleaning supplies. The employee food pantry aims to provide each staff member with a bag of groceries every Wednesday during the COVID-19 crisis. To learn more about how to help, email Info@CaledoniaSeniorLiving.org .
—Gene & Georgetti, 500 N. Franklin St., reopened for carry-out, curbside pickup and delivery beginning March 31. After months of rebuilding in the aftermath of a kitchen fire last October, the iconic spot was slated to reopen its dining room. The onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic has changed those plans, but people can still get their dishes. Orders can be placed via DoorDash and GrubHub, or by calling 312-527-3718; the delivery radius is 12 miles from downtown Chicago.
—Burrito Beach has launched the Buy a Hero a Burrito initiative. It allows anyone to purchase a $10 gift card at BurritoBeach.com that will be gifted to those working at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. For every $100 in sales, Burrito Beach will contribute $10 toward feeding another hero.
— In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's editions of Baconfest Chicago and Da Best Fest are canceled.
Ticket purchasers for both events will receive full refunds. Baconfest will resume in 2021 on April 10; Da Best Fest will be rescheduled to a date to be determined. ( Baconfest Chicago 2020 was scheduled for April 18, 2020, at the UIC Dorin Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd. Da Best Fest was slated for the day before in the same venue. ) To donate, visit ChicagosFoodBank.org.
—Brass Heart, 4662 N. Broadway, is offering vegan options, with a $50 meal for two people and a $100 meal for four individuals. The meal includes a pint of the soup du jour, Big Ol' Salad ( greens, apple, walnuts, vegan vinaigrette ), cauliflower tikka masala with scented basmati rice, baked-to-order vegan cookies and two drinks. People can order their dinners via Tock.
—Comedian and America's Got Talent Judge Howie Mandel has teamed with talkshoplive to help small businesses survive during the COVID-19 pandemic. The online show, which aired April 1, debuted with Lake Forest's Cindy Kienzle of The Hungry Monkey Baking Company, LLC., causing the company to sell out of its "Social Distancing Treats Boxes."
—Since launching earlier this month and selling out each evening, 16" on Center is continuing its relief efforts by consolidating its pay-what-you-can Family Meal pickup initiative, to now be exclusively offered at Dusek's Board and Beer in Pilsen. Every day at 12-8 p.m., a different pre-packaged chef-driven, carry-out meal will be offered and announced via Instagram. The team understands that times are hard and asks that people pay what they are able. Place orders at 312.526.3851 anytime after 11 a.m.
—HI-VIBE Superfood Juicery, 160 W. Kinzie St., is now offering 30-percent off all products to the entire Chicago wellness industry through Thursday, April 30. HI-VIBE is known for immunity-boosting and stress-relieving products. Delivery and carry-out are available for all HI-VIBE menu items via Postmates and on the mobile app. Delivery orders (free when $100+ in the city and $200+ in the suburbs) are also being taken by phone: 312-647-2750.
—flapjack premiered its new feature film A Chef's Voyage, available exclusively on SOMM TV video on demand ( VoD ) for $4.99 for a 72-hour rental. The documentary profiles Emmy award-winning Chef David Kinch and his team at the three-Michelin-starred Manresa as they journey from Los Gatos, California, to France, celebrating the restaurant's 15-year anniversary and the spirit of culinary collaboration. All of the film's rental proceeds for the 30-day limited release will be donated to supply laid-off restaurant workers with meals, provisions and support during the COVID-19 pandemic. See SOMMFilms.com/a-chefs-voyage.
—McDonald's said it's donating 1 million N95 masks—750,000 to Chicago and 250,000 to Illinois, according to Politico. The news follows McDonald's donation of $1 million to the state COVID-19 Response Fund and 400,000 face masks.
—philanthroTEA is incorporating a COVID-19 relief organization donation into its donation cycle until further notice. In addition to supporting our regular non-profit partners, we will also be donating an additional 20 percent of profits to organizations that are providing relief to the COVID-19 crisis on a global level. See philanthroTEA.com.
