It started with a simple question: How can we help? As it turns out, there were people all over the country asking the same question. And what began as independent efforts with a shared vision have now become a unified movement with a shared mission: Save local restaurants who have been impacted by shelter-in-place orders while supporting those doing battle on the front lines.

Frontline Foods is a grassroots organization that raises money from the community to pay local restaurants to prepare meals for the heroes responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Fueled by a growing army of more than 500 volunteers across the U.S., 51 chapters of Frontline Foods have together raised over $4.1 million and delivered more than 190,000 meals to frontline workers in over 275 hospitals nationwide — so far.
And we’re not doing it alone. We’ve recently partnered with World Central Kitchen — an international nonprofit relief program led by chef José Andrés — to scale the reach of our program. World Central Kitchen is a 501c3, so all donations to Frontline Foods are 100 percent tax deductible.

Frontline Foods Vermont

Frontline Foods Vermont is a grassroots effort with a local team of eight volunteers working together. Sher Tsai is the founder and also a registered nurse. 100 percent of funds donated to Frontline Foods Vermont goes right back into our local restaurants!

In three weeks, Frontline Foods Vermont has raised $88,100. This is absolutely incredible, and we are humbled by the support of our Vermont community. While this is a great amount raised, we are spending it quickly. 

As of April 24, 2020, we have served 917 meals to various units in the hospital (the ER, ICUs, the labs, and three medical floors serving COVID-19 patients), as well as to South Burlington first responders and Birchwood Terrace Rehab and Healthcare. And we have worked with 12 restaurants: the Great Northern, Pucinella’s, Poco, El Cortijo, Agave, Grazers, Drifters, Dedalus, Waterworks, the Scale, Blank Page Café, and the Shelburne Tap House.

Gratitude for Frontline Foods Vermont

“Words cannot express how grateful our staff is here in the Medical Intensive Care Unit for your generosity and for the delicious meals you delivered. Having people in our community take care of us, so we can take care of our community, means so much to each of us. We are so thankful for the love and support from our families, neighbors, friends and community. It truly does take a village and we are grateful to all of you for being part of ours!”

“Time with each other away from the stress of the department is one of the healthiest ways we can stay sane and connected to one another, even when there’s not a pandemic going on. That’s the real gift you gave them tonight.” 

How You Can Help

100 percent of donations* go directly to local restaurants feeding frontline workers:

• $50 Feeds three to five frontline workers
• $100 Feeds a team of five to 10
• $500 Feeds a small ER/ICU department
• $1,000 Feeds a large ER/ICU department
• $5,000 Provides a daily meal for roughly 50 frontline workers for one week

*Excluding credit card processing and Classy's fees. For donation questions or other ways to give, please email Frontline Foods or visit our website. 

Making a Donation

The easiest and fastest way to help is by making a donation online through Frontline Foods at frontlinefoods.org/vermont.

However, if you need to send a check, make it out to World Central Kitchen (our 501c3 nonprofit sponsor) and send it to World Central Kitchen, 1342 Florida Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009.

IMPORTANT: Please put "Frontline Foods Vermont" in the memo line in order for funds to stay in Vermont.

Attention: Restaurants and Frontline Workers:

Want to participate in this program? Sign up to make meals — or to receive them — at frontlinefoods.org/vermont.

This article was commissioned and paid for by Pomerleau Real Estate.