by Keith Emerald-
There are so many Orange County restaurants and establishments that have been giving back during the health crisis, these are just a handful of those wonderful restauranteurs . . .
SUPERHEROES:
BRACKEN’S KITCHEN
Bracken’s Kitchen responds to the hunger crisis during the pandemic by ramping up its meal production to reach even more people suffering from food insecurity during this uncertain time. As of May 15, 382,348 total meals provided over the past 2 months.
The simple mission of Bracken’s Kitchen has remained unchanged since its beginning in 2013: through food recovery, culinary training and community feeding programs, Bracken’s Kitchen is committed to recovering, repurposing, and restoring both food and lives. In 2020 alone, the organization is dedicated to providing and serving over 600,000 hot, tasty, and nutritious meals, most of which for young children and students in after-school and community programs.
In response to even more economic and social restrictions due to the coronavirus, Bracken’s Kitchen that recovers food and feeds those in need is stepping up its meal production to a goal of at least 25,000 meals a week. That’s nearly four times their average! They cannot do this alone. They are seeking donations to keep moving forward. They’ve changed their meal production at Bracken’s Kitchen to meet the need in our community.
“My heart and prayers go out to each and every person whose life is being completely turned upside down by this invisible virus,” said Bill Bracken, Founder of Bracken’s Kitchen.
“But in spite of all of this please remember my friends. THIS TOO WILL PASS and life will go on. Now more than ever we will work to “Delivering Hope, One Tasty Meal At A Time.”
They would not be able to feed those in need without their partners and supporters such as Vesta Foodservice, OC Food Bank, West Coast Prime Meats, Waste Not OC Coalition, Pacific Restaurant Brokers- Sales & Leasing, Newport Meat, Mangia Foods and many more.
Bracken’s Kitchen is seeking donations to support their COvid-19 Response goals and can be made at brackenskitchen.com/emergency-response-fund.
For more information about Bracken’s Kitchen, visit brackenskitchen.com and follow on Facebook at @BrackensKitchen, Instagram @brackenskitchen, and Twitter @brackenskitchen. Bracken’s Kitchen is located at 13941 Nautilus Drive in Garden Grove 949.445.3585. Questions: Chef@BrackensKitchen.com
CATERINA’S CLUB AT THE ANAHEIM WHITE HOUSE RESTAURANT
Bruno Serato and Caterina’s Club’s mission is to provide warm meals, affordable housing assistance, and job training to homeless and low-income families throughout Southern California. It is supported by a vision where we are creating a modicum of consistency in these children’s lives through something as simple yet meaningful as a nightly dinner.
In April they hit the milestone of 3 Million meals served. Caterina’s Club volunteers, supporters and staff members have been working on the front lines every day. Here’s a list of meals served since the onset of the health pandemic:
Week 1: 87,552 meals
Week 2: 136,928 meals
Week 3: 49,056 meals
Week 4: 73,216 meals
Week 5: 64,480 meals
Week 6: 83,040 meals
Week 7: 51,520 meals
Week 8: 20,160 meals
Total meals: 565,952
To donate go to www.caterinasclub.org/ and click on FEED THE CHILDREN or 657.201.3278. Info about the Anaheim White House Restaurants take out & reopening at anaheimwhitehouse.com
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
VILLA ROMA
Chef Leo Razo has prepared over 32,000 meals for families in need, shelters (homeless & youth) and first responders… hospitals, fire department, sheriff and people making protection shields for doctors and nurses.
25254 La Paz Rd Suite A, Laguna Hills, Menu: www.villaromamenu.com, www.slicelife.com 949.454.8585
THE RECESS ROOM
Viet Pham and his The Recess Room have also been giving back on a monumental level. This team has offered 50% off all food items for healthcare workers at various times. Check the website or Facebook to find out dates and times. Also notable is that each Friday they offer Free Food Fridays for Students and Seniors . . .
18380 Brookhurst St. Fountain Valley Info: 714.377.0398 or www.therecessroom.com
OC BAKING COMPANY
Dean Kim and his legendary Orange County Baking Company in regular times bake 20 to 30k loaves for the hotel and hospitality industry. During the pandemic, he opened his kitchen and warehouse to the public to buy bread and has been hosting local restaurants providing to-go meals and kits. Kim has been giving back by providing free bread to front line workers since the outbreak began.
1960 N Glassell St. Orange 714.998.2253 (BAKE) or www.ocbakingco.com
SUMMIT HOUSE
Delivered over 150 dinners to the ER staff at St Judes Medical Center in Fullerton and their Lab Technicians who have been working tirelessly processing the CoVid 19 tests. And they didn’t skimp on the meals…they delivered their famous Stockyards of Chicago Prime Rib dinner and another one of their signature dishes, John Dory!
2000 E Bastanchury Rd, Fullerton Order: summithouse.com and 714.671.3092
AVILA’S EL RANCHITO – SANTA ANA
The team at Avila’s El Ranchito- Santa Ana delivered 75 dinners to the ER staff at Orange County Global Medical Center in Santa Ana and the Santa Ana Police Department.
2201 E First St, Santa Ana, Take out – www.avilaselranchito.com/santa-ana or 714.547.9129
ANQI BY HOUSE OF AN at SOUTH COAST PLAZA
Anqi invited fellow workers in the food and beverage industry affected by COVID-19 to pick-up a large box of pantry essentials and fresh food to help them get through these troubled times…proof that adversity brings out the best in people.
South Coast Plaza, 3333 S Bristol St, Costa Mesa, Info: www.anqibistro.com or 714.557.5679
Our apologies to those giving who are not mentioned above and thank you for what you are doing!