Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2020
Media Contacts:
Emily Daunt
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association 517-377-3933 |
Leslie Pardo
Marx Layne & Company 248-563-7213 |
Michigan Restauant & Lodging Association and AT&T Establish Partnership To Feed Frontline Healthcare Workers at TCF Center and Suburban Collection Showplace Field Hospitals
Hospitality and Telecommunication Industries Join Forces to Serve 10,000 Meal
Hospitality and Telecommunication Industries Join Forces to Serve 10,000 Meal
LANSING, MICH. – The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) and AT&T have announced a partnership to feed frontline healthcare workers at TCF Center in Detroit beginning Sat., April 25. AT&T is providing $50,000 in funding to cover the cost of 500 meals per day for frontline healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients at TCF Center. Plans for meal support at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi are in development, bringing AT&T’s support to a total of 10,000 meals.
“Taking care of meals for first responders as they care for Michiganders dealing with COVID-19 is a tremendous help as we work to navigate this crisis,” said Governor Whitmer. “We appreciate AT&T and the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association for stepping up and providing meals at our Metro Detroit field hospitals so our first responders have what they need as they fight COVID-19.”
The healthcare need in Detroit is significant as the city has been a “hot spot” in the spread of COVID-19. Under the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Michigan National Guard, TCF Center was tranformed into a 1,000-bed coronavirus field hospital and the Suburban Collection Showplace was converted into a 250-bed coronavirus field hospital.
“Our members are in the business of feeding their community and that has been a challenge of late,” said Justin Winslow, President and CEO of the MRLA. “Our partnership with AT&T, therefore, is a natural fit, connecting our local operators and strategic partners with the hard-working healthcare workers on the frontlines in Detroit to provide healthy meals. We are thankful to AT&T for the opportunity and honored to support this important cause.”
AT&T was quick to address the need to support the healthcare workers providing vital medical services at TCF Center and Suburban Collection Showplace.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted our entire state and country, and AT&T wanted to do our part to ease some of the burden,” said AT&T Michigan President David Lewis. “Those on the front lines—doctors, nurses, paramedics and others—are putting their health at risk to help Michiganders recover from this virus. AT&T is proud to work with the MRLA to feed the first responders and support those small businesses in our state’s restaurant industry.”
Through the MRLA and AT&T partnership, beginning on Sat., April 25, breakfast and lunch will be freshly prepared for healthcare workers at the TCF Center field hospital. Meal service is scheduled to continue for two weeks, totaling 7,000 meals. Each meal, prepared following safe food handling procedures, will be individually packaged with pre-packaged utensils. Approximately 500 meals will be delivered daily—250 for breakfast and 250 for lunch—to TCF Center by individuals wearing masks and gloves in accordance with guidelines from local, state and federal health agencies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meal support at Suburban Collection Showplace is being finalized.
“I am both honored and grateful to be able to have an avenue where myself and our industry can assist in any and all times of need, especially when it comes to supporting those who lay their lives on the line everyday to help our families, community, all fellow Michigan residents and Americans,” said Petro Drakopoulos, chef and owner of Republica. “I'm going to continue to use my skills, and through the support of great organizations like the MRLA and AT&T, we can feed those who are helping and protecting us.”
Companies and organization leadership providing meal donations at the TCF Center over the next 14 days thus far include: Paul Hess, Epoch Hospitality; John Kesterke, Gordon Food Service; Chef Maxcel Hardy, Hardy Hospitality Group; Chef and Owner Petro Drakopoulos, Republica; Jake Schostak, TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants; and Jon Grayeb and Jean Lanfear, JK & T Wings.
“Taking care of meals for first responders as they care for Michiganders dealing with COVID-19 is a tremendous help as we work to navigate this crisis,” said Governor Whitmer. “We appreciate AT&T and the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association for stepping up and providing meals at our Metro Detroit field hospitals so our first responders have what they need as they fight COVID-19.”
The healthcare need in Detroit is significant as the city has been a “hot spot” in the spread of COVID-19. Under the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Michigan National Guard, TCF Center was tranformed into a 1,000-bed coronavirus field hospital and the Suburban Collection Showplace was converted into a 250-bed coronavirus field hospital.
“Our members are in the business of feeding their community and that has been a challenge of late,” said Justin Winslow, President and CEO of the MRLA. “Our partnership with AT&T, therefore, is a natural fit, connecting our local operators and strategic partners with the hard-working healthcare workers on the frontlines in Detroit to provide healthy meals. We are thankful to AT&T for the opportunity and honored to support this important cause.”
AT&T was quick to address the need to support the healthcare workers providing vital medical services at TCF Center and Suburban Collection Showplace.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted our entire state and country, and AT&T wanted to do our part to ease some of the burden,” said AT&T Michigan President David Lewis. “Those on the front lines—doctors, nurses, paramedics and others—are putting their health at risk to help Michiganders recover from this virus. AT&T is proud to work with the MRLA to feed the first responders and support those small businesses in our state’s restaurant industry.”
Through the MRLA and AT&T partnership, beginning on Sat., April 25, breakfast and lunch will be freshly prepared for healthcare workers at the TCF Center field hospital. Meal service is scheduled to continue for two weeks, totaling 7,000 meals. Each meal, prepared following safe food handling procedures, will be individually packaged with pre-packaged utensils. Approximately 500 meals will be delivered daily—250 for breakfast and 250 for lunch—to TCF Center by individuals wearing masks and gloves in accordance with guidelines from local, state and federal health agencies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meal support at Suburban Collection Showplace is being finalized.
“I am both honored and grateful to be able to have an avenue where myself and our industry can assist in any and all times of need, especially when it comes to supporting those who lay their lives on the line everyday to help our families, community, all fellow Michigan residents and Americans,” said Petro Drakopoulos, chef and owner of Republica. “I'm going to continue to use my skills, and through the support of great organizations like the MRLA and AT&T, we can feed those who are helping and protecting us.”
Companies and organization leadership providing meal donations at the TCF Center over the next 14 days thus far include: Paul Hess, Epoch Hospitality; John Kesterke, Gordon Food Service; Chef Maxcel Hardy, Hardy Hospitality Group; Chef and Owner Petro Drakopoulos, Republica; Jake Schostak, TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants; and Jon Grayeb and Jean Lanfear, JK & T Wings.
About the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,000 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 595,000 people and creating nearly $40 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,000 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 595,000 people and creating nearly $40 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
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