Corktown restaurants providing free meals to Henry Ford Hospital
/A note from our president, Bob Roberts
Picking up food Michigan & Trumbull Pizza To be delivered to Henry Ford Hospital.
For the month of April, the Corktown Business Association, with the assistance of several restaurant members who are still open for business, have been providing daily meals to front line workers at Henry Ford Hospital.
These meals were made possible by donations from the Ford Motor Company’s Ford Fund, Pattie and Ron Cooley, Oakland Housing, Wayne County Building Trade Alliance and the Detroit Hispanic Growth Corporation.
As of April 21, the CBA has delivered 2,100 meals.
The funding was slated to end April 20, however, Ford Motor Company’s Ford Fund stepped up and made another sizeable donation so that these businesses can continue daily meal delivery service through the end of the month.
Thank you for these crucial cash donations and the culinary donations of these great Corktown restaurants: Brooklyn Street Local, Onassis Coney Island, Folk, Michigan & Trumbull Pizza, and McShane’s Irish Pub.
“I applaud everyone's work and assure you the Corktown Business Association stands ready to assist in any and every way possible,” said Bob Roberts, president of the Corktown Business Association.
“Our purpose on earth is to serve others and that’s what we’re doing. And then you add the gratification of where these meals are going. The doctors, nurses and emergency room folks, I can’t fathom what their daily routine is like.”
An Interview with Michigan & Trumbull Pizza
We wanted to share an interview with Michigan & Trumbull Pizza, one of the businesses participating in the Henry Ford Hospital program. We hope this gives some insight into how our Corktown restaurants have been affected and how you can help,
How has your business been affected by coronavirus?
Owners and Detroit natives Nathan Peck and Kristen Calverley.
Our sales have declined approximately 50%. We are still doing curbside pick up and third party delivery, but for the safety of our staff, the safety of the public, and taking into account labor expenses, we had to let everyone go. Consequently, Nate and myself work open to close, with our two children, every day we're open. Unfortunately, we opened less than 2 months before all of this transpired, so we were still very much in the 'start up expense' phase of our brick and mortar, shutting down, even temporarily, was just not possible.
What has the CBA's response been to support its businesses?
Being a part of the CBA has been an invaluable resource at this time. Most notably, the email thread that continually updates us on developments regarding the shutdown, financial assistance, and other programs for small businesses. But also, feeling connected and supported by small business owners in a similar situation. I think ultimately it will also prove to be a great asset for advocating for small businesses at various levels of government.
How did you become involved in the Ford Fund program?
We were approached by Bob from McShane's to participate. For us it was not as simple as expressing gratitude to those working the frontlines. The Ford Fund Program, and other opportunities we've had to give back really gave us some purpose and reenergized us when it was starting to feel like no matter how hard we worked, it wouldn't change the outcome. We now have a broader perspective of what our role is in all this.
Where have you seen your community step up to support these or other efforts?
Aside from the CBA, several area businesses have ordered from us, checked in on us, brought us hand sanitizer, brought ice cream for our kids, and created campaigns to cross promote us... it's been really remarkable.
How can supporters of Corktown support the community now?
I think that the key going forward will be to continue to buy and shop from small businesses. Even once 'normalcy' resumes, small businesses will still need the support of people who are able to. It's going to take awhile for these businesses to bounce back.
What do you see for the future of the CBA/Corktown community?
Our experience with the community so far has been that other businesses and members of the community are remarkably supportive, generous, tight knit, and loyal. And I think something like this will only amplify those feelings within the community.
What services do you have going on now? How can people help you? What do you want to promote?
Currently we are doing curbside pick up and third party delivery. We are doing family meal packages (two pizzas/ a salad/ a side ~ $35) and a gift card promotion ($10 free for every $25 gift card purchased). Very soon we will start selling some of our most popular housemade dressings, sauces, seasonings to go!