ATLANTA — Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation have announced three new programs in partnership with Piedmont Healthcare, CHRIS 180 and Chef Hugh Acheson to donate meals to surrounding Atlanta communities amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
The Piedmont Healthcare program, which launched last week, will provide 5,000 meals a week to Piedmont Hospitals in Fayette County and Newnan, just south of metro Atlanta. Providing boxed meals allows frontline healthcare workers to also practice social distancing in areas such as the hospital cafeteria where it might otherwise be difficult. Mercedes-Benz Stadium and its food and beverage partner Levy Restaurants are preparing the lunches and deliver them to the two hospitals three times a week.
In addition, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is offering its kitchens and Levy chefs to prepare food for CHRIS 180. A long-time Blank Family Foundation partner on the Westside of Atlanta, CHRIS 180 provides residents with critical support services, such as housing, behavioral health and youth development. To help address current issues with food insecurity, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is providing meals to CHRIS 180 to distribute to the Westside community.
Lastly, with a grant from the Blank Family Foundation, renowned Atlanta chef Hugh Acheson, owner of 5&10 and Empire State South, is partnering with Georgia Organics and Fueling the Frontline to deliver hundreds of meals each week to frontline workers at Atlanta Medical Center and the VA, as well as to children and families through Carver Neighborhood Market, the Metro YMCA and HEALing Community Center.
“Serving our community has always been one of our driving forces as an organization, and when we work alongside our partners, we can together provide more value with our COVID-19 relief efforts,” said Steve Cannon, CEO, AMB Sports + Entertainment. “More than ever, the people of Atlanta need us to join forces with other organizations and utilize our resources to drive positive change, and it’s our hope that these efforts provide hope and aid during this time of need.”
In March, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation announced nearly $5.4 million in funding for immediate and long-term recovery assistance to organizations providing critical support throughout Georgia and Montana in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The Foundation granted $5 million to the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund established by United Way of Greater Atlanta and Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. Through a $100,000 grant to Hands On Atlanta, funding from the Blank Foundation will ensure 31 AmeriCorps members can continue to support public schools across metro Atlanta. With an increased demand for police presence throughout Atlanta, the Blank Foundation is providing $100,000 to the Atlanta Police Foundation to maintain adequate staffing levels and ensure the safety of officers through the enhanced sanitation of police facilities and the provision of personal sanitation supplies to police officers and other essential city employees.
Last week it was announced that Arthur M. Blank and Mercedes-Benz Stadium have established a $1 million emergency relief fund for core MBS Event-Day Associates, including associates for concessions partner, Levy Restaurants and venue security partner, SAFE Management to provide assistance with hardship incurred as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
