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April 22, 2020 | Alumni

U of T Engineering alumni co-found Feed the Frontlines to deliver meals to health-care workers and keep restaurants open

A group of hospital workers in masks, gloves and scrubs hold out trays of delivered meals.

Workers at North York General Hospital's ICU unit give the thumbs up to meals delivered by Feed the Frontlines Toronto, a grassroots group co-founded by U of T alumni. Photo: Feed the Frontlines Toronto


Two U of T Engineering alumni have helped launch Feed the Frontlines Toronto, a grassroots group that is providing meals to frontline health workers while also supporting Toronto restaurants during the COVID-19-related lockdowns in the city.

The team’s efforts fill two needs at once—supporting workers in essential jobs and helping food-service businesses stay afloat. Since the city-wide shutdown, "We have delivered over 2,500 meals to seven health-care and social services facilities," said Ananya Tandon-Verma (BASc 2015), who was inspired to help by her own experiences of excellent care from an ER nurse and doctor.

Feed the Frontlines volunteers raise funds, purchase full meal entrees from restaurants, and use contactless delivery protocols to bring the food to hospitals and community social services agencies who have signed up for the program. As well as meeting the safety protocols of each health-care facility, the program’s staff wear protective equipment and food is served in a wipeable container with utensils.

The group hopes to raise $300,000 to extend their efforts beyond the summer, with more meals delivered every week. "We've been blown away by the support of the community," said Siamak Sarvari (MASc 2010).

Learn more at feedthefrontlinesto.org

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