The North Stands: The Food & Beverage Industry vs. COVID-19
The first two months of 2020 were merely a grace period of what the year had in store for us. The global pandemic that is COVID-19 swept the nation and has impacted the lives of many — some worse than others.
Life as we once knew it has dramatically changed. The streets are vacant, businesses are dark, and people are either scrambling or strategizing through the madness to figure out how to keep their lives afloat.
Photo captured by Vanessa Witt (IG: @vanwitt)
If there is a silver lining from COVID-19, it has created a sense of empathy while uniting individuals within the communities all over the world.
With big hearts and a plan, Lydia Andresen and Gary Andresen of Northbound Creative brainstormed ideas to help raise funds for a stipend program designed to support those in the food and beverage industry who can no longer look forward to their regular paychecks.
“After hearing that my best friend lost her job, as bars and restaurants closed across Minnesota, I knew I had to help,” said Lydia Andresen. “Having spent years in the hospitality industry myself, I understand firsthand the damaging impact this will have on peoples’ livelihoods and the state economy as a whole.”
However, Lydia is not the only one who understands the severity of the position many hard workers have been left in.
They have partnered with the Twin Cities nonprofit The Sanneh Foundation, well-known local chefs Justin Sutherland and David Fhima, David’s wife Lori and their son Elijah Fhima to launch The North Stands campaign by selling stickers of solidarity.
100% of the proceeds will go toward those in hospitality industry who have experienced income loss from the pandemic.
This isn’t David Fhima and Justin Sutherland’s first rodeo in combatting the struggles brought by the pandemic. With help from their food industry friends, they parked the Farewell Food Truck and together fed those who are in need during this time of unpredictability.
“Coming to this country as a young immigrant, this industry offered me hope. Offering only a strong work ethic and tenacity, this industry gave me opportunity. Promising to improve my craft daily and present the community with honest, clean food, this industry provided the platform. With open arms this industry embraced me, my family, my creativity and gave me wings to explore what is possible in the culinary world. I will continue, in a forever quest, to repay, show my gratitude and hone my skills”
“People who work in the service industry are there for us every day – whether we are simply grabbing a sandwich for lunch from our favorite drive-thru, or when we are celebrating milestones with family and friends. As a member of the great service industry here, I know it is now vitally important that we as a community are able to be there for them - during one of their greatest times of need”
Unfortunately, many of us are or know someone who is experiencing great hardship this year. Now is the time to embrace and support each other during this period of uncertainty.
Click here to purchase your $6 sticker or click here to donate directly via The Sanneh Foundation! Take a selfie and tag us with your The North Stands sticker and continue to support local restaurants!