Making a Difference: North Shore Businesses Give Back

Just as signs of spring are popping up, signs of hope and kindness are emerging across our community, too. Many of our neighborhood businesses across Chicago’s North Shore jumped in as the crisis was unfolding and forged ways to reach out and give back. As independent Chicago-area restaurant dining rooms and catering services had to close, those that were able immediately pivoted their operations to feed people in need and put many cooks and other staff back to work. They welcome donations to keep up this important service and some have special offers to bring dinner to your home, too.

Find out more about the enduring and endearing ways our community is united to help all those serving and in need on our North Shore Unites list.

Know of any business on the North Shore making a difference who's not listed here? Please email jengel@cnscvb.com to let us know! 

See a full list of Chicago's North Shore restaurants offering carry out and delivery here.

Westfield Old Orchard
Skokie
Over the past several weeks Westfield Old Orchard has found multiple ways to give back to the local community. This includes but is not limited to donating funds to various food banks such as No Kid Hungry Chicago and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. They also provided catered lunches from CPK for the Skokie Police Department and Shake Shack for front line workers at Skokie Hospital. They partnered with Feast & Imbibe to support their efforts (read more on that below). They also worked with the O'Hare Airport team to doante funds to support Columbia College Fashion Students who are sewing masks for healthcare workers. 

Westfield Old Orchard, Skokie

NaKorn
1622 Orrington Ave., Evanston
The beautiful NaKorn specializes in blending bold flavors with traditional Thai recipes. Until they can open again for full service, their team reworked the kitchen to prepare nutritious meals for people in need through local organizations. A small, select team using strict social-distancing rules and enhanced sanitation policies provides no-contact, door-to-door delivery to residents of local affordable housing communities, such as Reba Place Development and Jacob Blake Manor for the elderly. They also provide fresh produce to Feast & Imbibe to support their efforts. Local residents can reach out if they know of groups that need free meals.

NaKorn, Evanston

Historic Wagner Farm
1510 Wagner Rd., Glenview
One of the last working dairy farms in Cook County demonstrating the American agriculture lifestyle as it existed in 1920-1950s, Wagner Farm is typically open to the public. A select few employees are now performing essential duties including feeding chickens, cleaning coups, and collecting eggs. Staff at this Glenview Park District site are dropping off farm fresh eggs weekly to the Northfield Township Food Pantry which has seen increased need. The eggs are washed and packed into cartons, just like they would be found for sale at the farm. Residents can help by donating money or by volunteering their time. 

Feast & Imbibe
1601 Payne St., Ste. C, Evanston
As a catering company featuring restaurant-quality food by a noted chef and a sommelier, Feast & Imbibe flipped their approach almost overnight when all social events came off the calendar. Their barbeque division, Soul & Smoke, is cooking, individually packaging, and delivering free meals to those impacted by COVID-19 in Evanston and nearby. “Our passion is food, and right now the best thing we can be doing is to make sure that as many people in our community are fed.” So far, they have provided 1,500+ meals. You can sponsor meals for someone in need, hospital workers, entire hospital departments, or through their Buy a Meal/Give a Meal to send (no-touch) meals directly to your house or to someone you know.

Feast & Imbibe, Evanston

Grill House
3061 Dundee Rd., Northbrook
Grill House has been doing their part to help keep local school children fed by donating rice, uncooked hamburgers and chicken breasts to school district 27 for their Lunch Solutions program. They also provided 1,000 free meal coupons for children in school districts 24, 28 and 31. 

Jennifer's Edibles
1623 Simpson St, Evanston
Local legends Jennifer’s Edibles is known for its fresh, outstanding American and Caribbean soul food breakfasts and friendly staff. “These times may be uncertain but to give those in need some comfort and certainty that the Evanston restaurant community will be there to help keep them fed and nourished is a blessing that [we] hold dear.” More than 30 volunteers are helping as drivers, shoppers, and prep cooks. Their GoFundMe page reached its initial goal, but they are still accepting donations by phone or mail to feed seniors.

Jennifer's Edibles, Evanston

 

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