CMSS is lucky and grateful to partner with outstanding organizations that align with our values of uplifting those around us by treating them with dignity, respect and compassion. While we often highlight our partners on social media, we felt it was time to take it one step further by introducing a new series: Partnership Spotlight.
The first partner we’re highlighting is one that’s brought immense joy to our staff through a love language that we all share — food.
Frontline Foods is a nonprofit that launched in March in response to COVID-19. Their mission is simple: Support hospital workers, first responders, public servants, and other frontline workers, along with affected communities, by providing meals in times of crisis. Frontline Foods is completely volunteer-based and 100% of the money raised through donations goes toward purchasing meals from local, independent and diverse restaurants. 52 percent of the restaurants they work with are women or black-owned.
In early April, Frontline Foods started its Chicago chapter. They quickly established partnerships with some of our favorite restaurants across the city including The Spoke & Bird, Dimos Pizza, Chicago Lunch Box, Justice of the Pie, Carnitas Uruapan, La Cocinita and many more.
With their small team of five volunteers, they’ve delivered close to 60,000 meals and put nearly $500,000 back into local Chicago restaurants. Chicago’s chapter has given food to over 20 hospitals, seven schools and a teen shelter. Some of those meals went to CMSS’ frontline workers.
CMSS’ partnership with Frontline Foods began in May because of an unfortunate event. Due to COVID-19, engaged couple Laura Putman and Drew Crail postponed their wedding that month. Laura, who works at the Alzheimer’s Association, and her husband Drew still wanted to share some joy and love on their original wedding date. They invited their friends and family to make donations to help send meals to our dedicated frontline workers at CMSS. Our staff received great meals from Hearty Boys Caterers. We are so grateful to everyone involved in that special day, and since then, we’ve continued to work with Frontline Foods.
“Chicago prides itself in community and we’re trying to do our part,” said Bre Smith, Chicago Chapter Lead at Frontline Foods. “Being able to support CMSS and give them an extra feeling of gratitude is important.”
Frontline Foods recently announced they would be joining World Central Kitchen (WCK), a nonprofit using the power of food to heal and strengthen communities through times of crisis and beyond. Frontline Foods will work as a nationwide extension of WCK to expand both organization’s impact.
CMSS is fortunate to partner with Frontline Foods and, on behalf of our staff, residents and team, we thank you for everything! If you’d like to support Frontline Foods, you can make a 100% tax-deductible donation here.