The LAUNCH Provisions Project kitchen incubator is starting a three-month project to help feed senior citizens in and around the Chattanooga area who are in need due to the pandemic. Through this initiative, the goal is to deliver 2,000 meals a week.
The effort will operate out of the former Virginia College culinary institute, getting meals to those in need and contracting food entrepreneurs whose businesses have been impacted by COVID-19. Participating business owners include Pat Rowe of BBQ Rowe and Catering, Brandon Ellis of Chatterbox Cafe, Christine Nguyen of Mama Crunk's Pies, and Mark Holland. To distribute and deliver the meals, LAUNCH will be teaming with The Chattanooga Housing Authority and We Over Me.
Chattanooga nonprofit LAUNCH had been working to plan a kitchen incubator over the past two years, with an opening slated for 2021. Because the pandemic, along with partners from Footprint Foundation and Urban Story Ventures, the organization will start earlier than planned with the LAUNCH Provisions Project.
Local real estate developer Urban Story Ventures, owns and operates the Midtown Office Park, where the former Virginia College is located. The fully equipped commercial kitchen and classroom space is approximately 8,000 square feet and offers parking, a loading dock, and a large walk-in freezer and refrigeration.
"We believe in the entrepreneurial spirit of LAUNCH. Urban Story Ventures feels LAUNCH is servicing a need in our community and we are excited to form a win-win partnership during these difficult times," says Urban Story owner, Jimmy White.
Walmart to hire another 200,000
The world's biggest retailer is looking to hire another 200,000 workers after adding nearly 250,000 worker in the previous six weeks.
Walmart said Thursday it is continuing to expand its staff and encouraging existing workers to stay on the job by paying out one-time bonuses this week of $300 for full-time workers and $150 for part-time hourly associates. In Tennessee, such bonuses total $3.96 million among the $180 million distributed nationwide.
When combined with the $365 million announced earlier this month,Walmart said it has committed close to $550 million in bonus payouts to Walmart employees during the COVID-19 crisis.
"We've seen firsthand our associates' unwavering focus to take care of customers and members while providing a vital service to communities during this time," Donna Morris, Walmart's chief people officer, said Thursday. "Recognizing the hard work ahead of our associates as COVID-19 spreads and to help provide more cash in hand for them sooner, we shared plans to accelerate the payout for our quarterly incentive, which store, club and supply chain associates received today."
COVID-19 grows at Athens Life Care
The Life Care Centers of America senior living facility in Athens, Tennessee, on Thursday reported that the number of employees with COVID-19 has risen to 29.
Along with the 58 residents who've tested positive, that puts the total number to date at 87, according to the Cleveland, Tennessee-based company.
The center reported that 66 employees and 37 residents have tested negative for COVID-19 at the Athens facility.
Two residents have died, and two more are hospitalized, said Jeffery Ricks, the center's executive director, on Wednesday.
He said that if associates test positive, they are only allowed to return to work when CDC guidelines are met.
"Our facility is a family, and we're all working together to take care of our residents and each other," Ricks said in a statement.
Realtors aid victims from April 12 tornado
The National Association of Realtors Relief Fund is providing $200,000 to help victims of the April 12-13 tornadoes that swept through Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia.
"We are thankful to have these funds available to help some in our community get started on the long, hard path back to recovery, " said Brandi Pearl Thompson, president of the Greater Chattanooga Realtors in 2020. "We love our community, and myself and other Realtors are doing all we can to help these families rebuild their lives."
The Realtors Relief Fund was established to provide housing-related assistance to victims of disasters. Over the past 18 years, RRF has collected and distributed more than $32 million in aid for some 80 disasters in 39 states.