Throughout our organization’s history, the restaurant industry has been critical to Second Helpings’ impact in the community. In fact, that’s where we began. Our three founders were all Chefs, and created Second Helpings to address problems they identified in the industry and community – food waste, hunger, job training, and a source of skilled labor for the local food service industry – with one solution: turn unused food into meals and jobs.
Fast-forward 22 years, and Second Helpings continues to work closely with local restaurants every day. Restaurants hire graduates of our Culinary Job Training program. Restaurants donate excess food product, which is put to work in our Hunger Relief and Culinary Job Training kitchens. Restaurants participate in our events every year, like Souper Bowls and Corks and Forks.
Sometimes, restaurants also call Second Helpings when they’re closing their doors permanently, to donate the food they will no longer be able to use. It breaks our heart to get these calls. But we also feel grateful that the restaurant chose to share remaining food items to feed those in our community who are struggling to put food on their table.
Although the partnership between restaurants and Second Helpings has remained constant, certainly much has changed in the last year. The restaurant industry has been one of the hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Indianapolis has been no exception. In December, the Indianapolis Star reported that 1 in 5 local restaurants have closed their doors permanently during the pandemic.
That’s why it is imperative – now, more than ever – that we support our local restaurants, who we happen to believe make the best food in the land.
When you order take-out or delivery from a local restaurant, you not only enjoy a delicious meal – you keep restaurant workers employed, you keep businesses open.
You also feed Indy.
We need our restaurants to stay in business – not just so that we can continue working together, but so that restaurants can continue making the food we all love so much.
We all know that this crisis is far from over, and that the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will be felt for years after the virus fades from the headlines.
So, we ask everyone who loves Second Helpings to share that love with our local restaurants, who are important leaders in our community.
Now, through Feb. 6, more than 100 restaurants are participating in the city-wide dining experience Devour Indy, and offering special meal deals. Many also offer reservations, carry-out, or delivery options to dine safely. We hope you’ll support participating restaurants and enjoy the delicious meals they have to offer.