5 silver linings from this week: May 22 edition

This week, it was communities’ turn to give back to noncommercial operators. Many local organizations, businesses and individuals took the time to write notes and donate meals to cafeteria staff as a way to show appreciation for what those workers have done to keep others fed during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

1. Free meals on Fridays 

A local restaurant in Aurora, Colo., provided free breakfast and lunch for cafeteria staff at Aurora Public Schools as a thank-you for providing over 12,500 free meals to students and adults each weekday. The restaurant will continue to provide free meals to cafeteria employees every Friday. 

Read the full story at denver.cbslocal.com.

2. A gift from the senior class 

Students at Forestview High School in Gastonia, N.C., decided to have their senior gift go to the cafeteria staff at nearby CaroMont Regional Medical Center. The students raised funds to provide $400 in snacks and $563 in gift cards for the employees.

Read the full story at gastongazette.com.

3. A personal thank-you 

Employees at supermarket chain H-E-B donated bags of personal care items and gave handwritten notes to cafeteria staff at Killeen Independent School District in Killeen, Texas, to say thanks for keeping students fed during COVID-19. 

Read the full story at kdhnews.com.

Related:5 silver linings from this week: May 15 edition

4. Providing patients with healthy meals  

The Aramark-managed dining team at the University of Virginia has partnered with nonprofit Local Food Hub to pack and distribute food to recipients who are a part of the nonprofit’s Food Farmacy program, which provides healthy food and produce to low-income patients at nearby hospitals. The dining team is on track to distribute 500 boxes of food each week. 

Read the full story at dailyprogress.com.

5. Feeding frontline employees 

Food for Frontline, a nonprofit dedicated to helping essential workers during the pandemic, raised funds to donate 60 meals to nutrition staff at Roanoke County Public Schools in Roanoke, Va. The meals were prepared from a local restaurant. 

Read the full story at wsls.com. 

Have a silver lining you’d like to share? Let me know at [email protected].