For two decades, the Sahm family and their restaurants have supported Second Helpings. Yesterday, opened a new chapter in that relationship.
It started with an email from Eddie Sahm at 2:07 Sunday morning. By Friday, Sahm’s Cafeteria in the OneAmerica tower had become Second Helpings’ first satellite kitchen, delivering an additional 1100 meals that day to low-income seniors and families in need of nutritious meals during the COVID-19 epidemic.
With Sahm’s additional capacity, Second Helpings increased the number of meals it provided to the community by 25% in a single day. Along with the thousands of meals produced in Second Helpings’ main kitchen by staff and volunteers, the satellite kitchen will more than double our capacity to feed the community in a time of great need.
The project was kickstarted by another longtime Second Helpings supporter – OneAmerica. A grant from OneAmerica will help to cover expenses during the first two weeks of operations.
Providing food to homebound seniors and families during this epidemic is critical for our community. Second Helpings is committed to providing this essential service and meeting the need as best we can. By developing satellite kitchens, Second Helpings can expand the number of people it serves quickly and keep more people in the restaurant industry working.
Those first meals from the satellite kitchen were delivered to seniors at Barton Tower, Barton Annex, Lugar Tower and to families at IndyParks as part of their distribution of meals for children while school is closed.
And the response from families who came to IndyParks hoping to get a nutritious meal for their children? In a few words, “thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Each day the number of requests increases for meals that homebound seniors and struggling families can eat at home. Future deliveries are planned for Westminster Neighborhood Services, Christamore House and Shepherd Community Center.
You can support this critical initiative by making a donation to support Second Helpings and its efforts to nourish our community during the COVID-19 epidemic and beyond. As your family treats itself to a pizza or carry out meal from your favorite restaurant, consider making a gift that will provide a comforting and nutritious meal for a senior or family in need.
How are Second Helpings and our Hunger Relief partners adapting and responding to the challenges presented by COVID-19 in our community? Follow our blog to get the latest details.