Friends Indeed: Niedlov's customers send bread to Community Kitchen during coronavirus scare

Friends Indeed is a weekly series by the Chattanooga Times Free Press to recognize acts of kindness during the coronavirus pandemic / Photo illustration by Matt McClane.

As the retail manager of Niedlov's Breadworks, Ian Kizer has seen better days. The spread of the coronavirus has greatly affected business at the bakery, which supplies multiple restaurants around town. As restaurants have cut back or closed altogether, decreasing demand for their product, Niedlov's management has had to reduce staff.

But a funny thing has happened. One of the consequences of restaurants cutting back has been a reduction of overstocked supplies sent to the Chattanooga Community Kitchen. Many area restaurants send what they can to help the kitchen, which in turn uses those supplies to help feed area folks in need.

Staff File Photo / Niedlov's Breadworks is at 215 E. Main St. in Chattanooga.

Local folks have responded - without being asked, according to Kizer.

"Some days our best-selling items are people who buy for the Community Kitchen," Kizer said.

Does that mean they are coming in and buying one for themselves and one for the kitchen?

"Sometimes, but really it's people who just buy 20 loaves for the kitchen," Kizer said.

Community Kitchen Chief Executive Officer Jens Christensen said Niedlov's has long been a supporter of the kitchen, but their help during this pandemic is especially needed and appreciated.

Staff File Photo / In gestures of goodwill, customers are donating breads from Niedlov's Breadworks to the Chattanooga Community Kitchen.

"They've also been donating unsold bread, and that has definitely been a godsend," Christensen said.

If you'd like to donate to the Community Kitchen, information on how to do so can be found at https://www.homelesschattanooga.org/donate.

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