On March 30th, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and inspired by similar programs in other cities, Concord citizens Rob Costello, Hilary Steinert, Susie Winstanley, Pamela Loos Gildehaus, Karen Croff Bates, Anne Elton, and Virginia Shannon launched Fuel the Fight (FTF-Concord). This community-based effort had one goal: to raise money to provide meals for Emerson Hospital staff while supporting local restaurants in the process. FTF-Concord worked directly with the administrative team at Emerson Hospital to feed medical staff working on the frontlines, and to streamline the many food donations they were receiving.
Within just 10 days of launching, FTF-Concord raised $43,000 from 367 donors - ranging from local students contributing $5 to citiizens contributing as much as $1,000. In just two months, 22 local restaurants brought 5,535 meals to hospital workers, reaching every single department at Emerson Hospital. Some days, multiple restaurants delivered breakfast, lunch or dinner, and a snack along with hand-written thank you notes.
“Fuel the Fight gave my employees an opportunity to work during a time of uncertainty“ said Tony Haddadeen, owner of Walden Italian Kitchen. “We were so happy to be able to contribute,” said Debra Stark, owner of Debra’s Natural Gourmet “Fuel the Fight not only boosted sales in our kitchen, but it boosted morale, and our staff felt a strong sense of purpose.” Throughout it all, Concord’s restaurants remained steadfast in their willingness to help their community.
Emerson Hospital on the Frontlines
Emerson Hospital President and CEO, Chris Schuster, shared “You cannot imagine the support our staff felt from FTF-Concord and the local participating restaurants. The meals that were delivered provided both nourishment and a real sense that the community was behind our doctors, nurses, and staff. We salute the hard working restaurants workers, knowing they face different challenges in this pandemic, and hope that this amazing community will continue to do their part to support our local restaurants and help them through these difficult times.”
The surge of the spring is behind us, but the challenge facing local restaurants continues. While many of us admire how quickly, creatively, and thoughtfully restaurants have pivoted to offer curbside take-out, delivery, and distanced/outdoor dining, we may not realize the full impact the pandemic has had on their businesses and livelihoods.
“If you are lucky enough to open your own restaurant (and I feel very lucky) you have the tremendous privilege of becoming part of the fabric of the community,” said Ben Elliott, chef/owner of Saltbox Farm and Kitchen. “We are in this together, committed to remaining a part of this special town.”
You can do YOUR part to help by supporting Concord’s restaurants. Please consider ordering online, treating yourself to takeout, dining with them (inside or out!), or simply buying a gift card to keep them going. Thank you Concord!
Restaurant Heroes
80 Thoreau • Bisousweet Confections • Comella’s • Concord Cheese Shop • Concord Provisions and Country Kitchen • Concord Teacakes Debra’s Natural Gourmet • Dino’s Kouzina and Pizzeria • Dunkin Donuts of Concord • Farfalle • Fiorella’s • Haute Coffee • Helen’s • Karma Minuteman Diner • Nashoba Brook Bakery • Sally Ann’s Bakery • Saltbox Kitchen • Trail’s End Cafe • Twin Seafood • Verrill Farm • Walden Italian Kitchen
Photos courtesy of Fuel the Fight Concord