These Restaurants Are Keeping Nashville’s Health Care Workers Fed

Without a doubt medical professionals are dealing with extra stress these days. In addition to the ways locals have stepped up, donating cash and meals to support the hospitality industry during these trying times, there has also been a widespread outpouring of love and thanks for those first responders and medical professionals in the form of food from Nashville restaurants. A number of nonprofits have launched, taking online donations to partner with local restaurants to deliver food to hospitals, police stations, fire stations, and more.

On the independent, local front, Coco’s Italian restaurant has already donated over 1,100 meals to workers at Vanderbilt and St. Thomas hospitals, plus the Nashville Fire Department, animal rescue groups, and others. And chef Philip Krajeck (Folk, Rolf & Daughters) partnered with healthcare CEO Tom Kendrot (Shearwater Health) to provide 500 meals to staff and caregivers at Vanderbilt. Kendrot is funding the preparation and delivery, which Krajeck and his team provide at cost. Many other Nashville chefs and restaurants are doing the same.

A new nonprofit recently expanded to Nashville from Texas — Feed the Front Line. Past restaurant partners and donors include Arnold’s, Biscuit Love, Edley’s BBQ, the Food Co., Frothy Monkey, Hattie B’s, Joyland, Red Bicycle, Riddim ‘n Spice, Vui’s Kitchen, Waldo’s Chicken & Beer. To partner your restaurant, follow this link.

A GoFundMe from Local Meals for Local Heroes does the same — another nonprofit that expanded here with the help of Dino’s owner Alex Wendkos. Thanks to donations, restaurants like Burger Up, Hattie B’s, Red Perch, and Caffe Nonna have provided meals to employees at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, St. Thomas Midtown Hospital, St. Thomas West and TriStar Skyline Medical Center.

There are so many stories of Nashville restaurants giving back to first responders, so here’s a list of places donating food to health care workers, with information on how the public can donate to the efforts, if applicable; if you know of others, or have spotted changes, email us a tip at nashville@eater.com.

Mangia

Owner Nick Pellegrino has been staying busy serving takeout, delivering meals, and even launching a new Youtube channel “Making it Italian” — but he and he wife Jeanine and GM Rachel Lunsford have also been feeding the frontlines. Pellegrino has been sleeping in a sleeping bag at his restaurant at nigh, to continue to cook and keep his restaurant afloat.

Coco’s Italian Restaurant and Market

The Italian restaurant accepts donations on its website to donate meals to those on the medical front lines and other first responders. For every $10 received, a local First Responder gets a meal delivered to their work from Coco’s Italian. For every two meals purchased, Coco’s is donating one. If a business donated 30 or more meals, Coco’s prints the labels with their logo on it. The meals are delivered refrigerated and are in microwavable trays to make it easy for them when they have time to eat.

Urban Grub

The 12 South restaurant offers three options for online donations of meals to nurses or doctors. For $15, you can donate a meal, for $80 you can send a tray of cookies, and for $450 you can feed an entire floor of hospital workers.

Copper Kettle

Copper Kettle is providing sandwich boxes to first responders, for $7 donations online.

Green Hills Grille

On their online ordering storefront, Green Hills Grille offers a $15 meal for doctors and nurses.

Epice, Kalamatas, and Santo

All three restaurants have funds set up to give up to $25 to local medical workers. To order, call each restaurant, then show medical ID upon pick-up.

Chef Philip Krajeck (Folk, Rolf & Daughters)

The chef has partnered with healthcare CEO Tom Kendrot (Shearwater Health) to provide 500 meals to staff and caregivers at Vanderbilt. Kendrot is funding the preparation and delivery, which Krajeck and his team provide at cost.

Hachland Hill

The 80-acre family-run dining inn and retreat center donated over 200 fruit and nut granola packs to VUMC Children’s Hospital.

White Bison Coffee

White Bison Coffee (from Twice Daily convenience stores) is offering free small coffees for first responders and healthcare workers through the end of April.

Chicken Salad Chick

Donate-A-Meal for $7.99 via local Chicken Salad Chick websites, and the restaurant will deliver all donations to local front-liners to show support.

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