Award-winning Staplehouse is the latest Atlanta restaurant to turn its temporarily-shuttered brick-and-mortar into a soup kitchen for foodservice employees displaced by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“In 2016, Staplehouse was named the best new restaurant in America by [Bon Appetit Magazine],” the Old Fourth Ward restaurant Saturday posted to its Facebook page.
“In 2020, starting today, we become a soup kitchen for our industry in this time of crisis.”
Staplehouse has joined forces with Giving Kitchen to convert the restaurant into “The Giving Soup Kitchen” with the “immediate goal of providing meals at no cost to foodservice employees directly affected by this crisis who cannot work.”
“These meals will be prepared by our team in an effort to keep them employed while doing what we love so much,” Staplehouse continued in its social announcement.
City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lanch Bottoms earlier this week signed an Executive Order requiring restaurants to close dining rooms and switch to takeout and delivery only.
The city of Decatur shortly followed suit.
Staplehouse is the latest local eatery to put its kitchen and staff to work for its fellow food industry colleagues and Atlanta residents in need, following the Executive Orders.
Staplehouse as of Saturday is offering 50 takeaway meals per day for pickup only, with plans to expand to 100+ meals daily.
“It is extremely important for us to maintain our safety and limit grouping,” the restaurant wrote on Facebook.
“To do so, we insist you contact us to schedule your takeaway box and pick up time.”
The restaurant’s pick-up window is from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 pm. and can be scheduled by emailing [email protected].
“In order to reduce ingredient costs, we are asking our fellow restaurants who have also made the tough decision to close your doors to please donate any excess inventory. We will gladly accept it to execute these prepared meals. Lastly, please consider donating to-go paper products to help us package up the meals.”
Donations can be made by emailing [email protected].
“We are incredibly grateful to be a part of the foodservice community. Anything long-lasting or worthwhile takes time and complete surrender.”
[Editor’s note: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly evolving as is its effect on Atlanta, and the City’s businesses and its residents. Click here for What Now Atlanta’s ongoing coverage of the crisis. For guidance and updates on the pandemic, please visit the C.D.C. website.]
