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Wheeler Mission launches program to help local restaurants feed those in need

The Sponsor a Meal-Restaurant Program is partnering corporations and/or private donors with local restaurants to help people who are experiencing homelessness.

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — Wheeler Mission is launching a new campaign to help restaurants during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Sponsor a Meal-Restaurant Program is partnering corporations and/or private donors with local restaurants to help people who are experiencing homelessness.

It's a partnership that is not only helping people who desperately need food right now but also helps one of the hardest hit industries — restaurants and the people who work there.

Here's how it works:

  • Restaurant finds a donor or the donor reaches out to Wheeler Mission for assistance
  • The donor(s) will be invoiced for a sponsorship by Wheeler Mission for the agreed upon amount (minimum of $1,000)
  • The restaurant invoices Wheeler Mission for the cost of the food prepared (equaling the donation budget)
  • Wheeler Mission connects the restaurant with their Director of Food Service to arrange a day for the food to be donated
  • Wheeler Mission connects the restaurant and/or donor with their Director of Volunteer Services to arrange volunteer opportunities (to serve the meal to the guests) if desired by the restaurant/donor

Jeremy Brown, owner of Nameless Catering, said nearly all of his catering events have been canceled since mid-March. Jeremy Brown owns Nameless Catering. He said this partnership is a win-win.

"Starbucks here in Indiana was the first company to step up," Brown said. "They gave me $1,000. In turn, we took that thousand dollars in discount to the meal on our end. But then, you still took that thousand dollars to cover some of the costs of meal, and we're going to be delivering a 100 percent barbecue order to the mission."

Over the past three weeks, Nameless Catering has served over 3,000 meals in various ICU's and hospitals. They've even expanded the business to include frozen meals for four that have been so popular, they are trying to keep up with the demand.

Click here to learn more or get involved in Wheeler Mission's Sponsor a Meal-Restaurant Program.

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