Adjusting to life during these challenging times can seem overwhelming. As a way to spread some positivity amid so much uncertainty, we wanted to shine a light on the people of Sandy Springs who have rallied together to support one another.We have collected a list of stories that have warmed our hearts and included a list of way you can support your community.
Restaurants Continue To Keep Healthcare Heroes Fed
Several Sandy Springs restaurants including Rumi’s Kitchen, Local Expedition Wood Fired Grill and Café I Am have stepped up to help feed healthcare workers at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory Saint Joseph’s, Northside Hospital and other metro Atlanta hospitals. Strive Foods even raised over $17,000 to provide fresh plant-based meals for hospital workers, which will allow them to feed at least 50 people one meal per day for 25 days.
Atlanta Together Love Feeds Fire Department and Supports Local Restaurants
A local man started a grassroots fundraising effort called Atlanta Together Love to support both first responders and local restaurants. He raised over $1,800 to purchase lunches from Brooklyn Café to feed the Sandy Springs Fire Department.
The King and Queen Buildings Turn Blue for Healthcare Workers
The King and Queen frequently change colors to celebrate holidays and other special occasions, but for the last few weeks, they have been lit up with blue lights to celebrate healthcare workers. Other surrounding buildings, including The Westin Atlanta Perimeter North, have also created signs of solidarity for the community and those on the frontlines.
City Springs Theatre Company Offers Free Classes For Students
To help keep kids engaged and inspired, City Springs Theatre Company is offering free classes every weekday on Instagram for middle and high school students. The classes are taught by local and national theatre professional and include subjects like dancing, singing and comedy for stage.
Firefighters and Police Officers Come Together To Celebrate Healthcare Workers
Sandy Springs PD, Sandy Springs Fire, Dekalb Fire, Dunwoody PD, and American Medical Response joined together to create a parade of lights for healthcare workers at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory Saint Joseph’s and Northside Hospital.
Pop Up Pantries At Samad Mediterranean Grill & Market and Under The Cork Tree
When schools closed, the parents of Sandy Springs Charter Middle School came together to set up a pantry for food insecure families that count on school lunches. They reached out to the owners of Samad Mediterranean Grill and used the restaurant as a location for donations. They then added Under The Cork Tree as a second location so that families have access to a pantry on both sides of town.
The 2nd Sandy Springs pop up pantry is set up and ready to serve! If you have anything to spare we welcome your...
Posted by Pop Up Food Pantry-Solidarity Sandy Springs-Neighbors Helping Neighbors on Friday, March 27, 2020
City Springs’ Chef Tyrone Makes Meals For The Community Assistance Center
When events at City Springs were cancelled for safety, Chef Tyrone needed to find something to do with the catering ingredients that had already been ordered. He went to work preparing 200 delicious, ready-to-serve, meals for the Community Assistance Center, which has been providing food and financial assistance for families in need.
Posted by City Springs on Friday, March 27, 2020
Staff At Local Hospitals Treated To Brunch And Bundts From Local Restaurants
Even as they face challenges of their own, many of our local restaurant owners are giving back to those on the front lines working tirelessly to combat this virus. Cupanion’s Kitchen and Coffee catered a brunch for Piedmont Hospital’s ER and ICU unit, and Nothing Bundt Cakes delivered bundtinis and bundtlets to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory Saint Joseph’s and Northside Hospital.
And Other Local Restaurants Keep First Responders Fed
Both Blue Moon Pizza and Bawarchi Biryanis have helped keep the Sandy Springs Police Department well fed. In addition, Okiboru is providing a free bowl of ramen to emergency responders, and customers at Thos. O’Reilly’s can “leave a meal” for first responders by adding it to their tab when they mobile order.
Sips N Strokes Color for a Cause
Sips N Strokes is providing free coloring pages for patrons to complete. If you email your coloring page back to them, they will send it to a nursing home to be displayed. This activity is both fun for families and can help brighten up the nursing homes.
Let's COLOR FOR A CAUSE! Help Sips n Strokes bring joy to nursing home residents who can’t have visitors due to...
Posted by Sips n Strokes Sandy Springs on Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Local businesses donate to portions of profits to non-profits
Phidippides, a specialty running store, started donating $15 of every $100 purchased to The Giving Kitchen, a non-profit that provides financial assistance to hospitality industry employees facing hardship.
Similarly, Pontoon Brewing are selling a beer called All Together and 100% of the proceeds will go to Bottleshare, a nonprofit providing support to beverage industry workers. Pontoon also started making hand sanitizer that they include for free with any to-go beer purchase.
Marlow’s Tavern is donating 20% of every gift card purchased to No Kid Hungry, a non-profit dedicated to providing nutritious meals to children from food insecure families.
Six simple things you can do to help your community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Donate canned goods to a local food pantry. If you feel able, considering volunteering at the pantry too.
- Donate directly to a non-profit helping those in need of financial assistance.
- Continue to eat and shop local. Purchase gift cards from your favorite businesses.
- Stay home as much as possible, especially if you are not feeling well.
- Share the stories that are warming your heart and help spread some positivity.
- Be kind!