BALTIMORE — COVID-19 has changed just about every facet of daily life, including the way non-profits raise funds.
Moveable Feast’s Dining Out for Life event is no different.
The fundraiser usually happens on one day each year, where participating restaurants donate a portion or all of the proceeds from lunch and/or dinner that day.
But because the restaurant industry has taken such a hard hit financially due to the pandemic, Moveable Feast decided to change things up this year.
The non-profit is asking people to donate on their own and continue to support local restaurants. Throughout the fundraiser, which goes until September 17, they will be holding #TakeoutThursdays live stream events for people to enjoy while they are eating in with takeout meals from restaurants.
The next #TakeoutThursdays event is an online cooking class with dietitians from Moveable Feast, who will be grilling, making frozen treats and more.
Moveable Feast started in the early 1990’s in Baltimore City to provide services to people living with HIV/AIDS. They have since expanded to 15 counties throughout the state and gives free meals to those who are dealing with chronic illnesses and are food insecure.
Since the pandemic started, there have been no volunteers to help with the work but they have continued to prep and package about 8,000 meals a week for their clients.
"We’ve gone from 150 volunteers every week to six kitchen staff and 10 administrative staff, so that’s quite the difference," said Angie Kelley, the volunteer manager at Moveable Feast.
And because so many of their clients are unable to leave the house due to the risk of contracting COVID-19, Kelley says their services are crucial.
"We have continued to make our medically-tailored meals that are all catered towards their dietary needs, and essentially our healthy meals are part of what keeps them out of the hospital which is so important right now," Kelley said.
To donate to Dining Out for Life and see the #TakeoutThursdays live stream schedule, click here.
