March 24, 2020 – The Howard G. Buffett Foundation today announced a $290,000 commitment to fund local social service agencies to support vulnerable residents in need. The Foundation is also partnering with locally-owned restaurants to offer free meals for first responders. The Foundation’s commitment will assist Macon County’s emergency response to the coronavirus pandemic and was developed as part of the Resource Taskforce convened by Decatur Mayor Julie Wolfe and chaired by Howard G. Buffett, Chairman and CEO of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.
Today’s announced funding support adds to an earlier Foundation commitment of $1 million that will be distributed by the Resource Taskforce under Mr. Buffett’s leadership. Today’s commitment includes:
• $30,000 to Meals on Wheels to expand service to clients in need;
• $50,000 to BabyTalk to help families with infants to access formula, baby food, and other necessities;
• $110,000 to the United Way to stock food pantries ($100K) and to support the Good Samaritan Inn ($10K) in offering meals to residents in need;
• Up to $100,000 in food vouchers for first responders to use at over 20 locally-owned restaurants for free breakfast, lunch and dinner for on-duty personnel from Macon County Sheriff’s Office; Decatur Police Department; Decatur Fire Department; and Decatur Ambulance Service;
“Providing support to vulnerable residents and first responders in our home community is something we have always strived to do,” said Howard G. Buffett, Chairman and CEO of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. “We welcome the opportunity to expand our support during this historic crisis and are happy that this approach will also indirectly aid locally-owned small businesses.”
“The Howard G. Buffett Foundation’s additional contribution meets immediate needs and provides a much-needed economic stimulus. Our businesses are struggling, our community is experiencing hardship, and this act of humanity will go a long way. When we work together, great things happen,” said Mirinda Rothrock, President of the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The food voucher support and the additional funding to Meals on Wheels will cover meals beginning Tuesday, March 24 through Wednesday, April 22. Food vouchers will be given to participating law enforcement agencies who in turn will distribute to on-duty officers. Local restaurants participating in the food voucher program include Anna Thai; Big Sharks Fish & Chicken; Coney McKane’s; Coz’s Pizza; Crawford’s Pizza; Debbie’s Diner; Diamonds Family Restaurant; Doherty’s; Downtown Café; Everyone’s East End Grill; Garden Family Restaurant; Gin Mill; LaGondola; New Moon Café; Sloan’s Calzones; The Wagon; The Wharf; Tuscany Steak & Pasta House; Waterfront Café; and Whit’s End Decatur. All meals will be available for take-out only.
“We appreciate the Howard G. Buffett Foundation’s efforts to help take care of our most vulnerable population and give a boost to our small businesses by offering meals for our first responders. We are all in this together, and this is a creative way to serve so many with his generous gift,” said Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe.
