Ann Arbor business serves up hope for hungry residents

By Kristy King

Staff Writer

As many residents grapple with unemployment and food insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some local business owners are finding ways to help. 

Sheldon Alexander, owner of Foodies, a catering company in Ann Arbor, saw a need in the community and decided to fill it.

“We wanted to make a difference for people and give them hope through a very dark time,” said Chef Sheldon Alexander, the company owner.

Alexander has handed out more than 3,000 free meals during the COVID-19 pandemic to first responders, residents, and workers in the service industry.

It started when Foodies was hired to cook for an assisted living home in mid-March. The home shut down the kitchen as a precautionary measure to thoroughly sanitize everything in preparation for the pandemic. 

Foodies operates as a portable catering service, not a walk-up food truck. However, Alexander’s experience working at the assisted living home inspired him to use his business as a walk-up food truck to support the community. 

“It got me thinking how we could make this work and give back to people that we’ve been working with for years in Ann Arbor,” Alexander said. “I contacted current and former clients about donations for food. 

“I knew I couldn’t do it on my own so I contacted my staff and asked if they wanted to do something like this,” he said.

Foodies has approximately 26 full-time and contracted employees. Alexander decided to keep his full-time staff and pay their salaries out of pocket as long as the donations came in for the purchase of food.

“Chef Alexander asked us, and we were all on the same page that we should do something,” said Eman Gordon, head of service at Foodies.

On March 27, Foodies served its first meal for free with the intent to run only until mid-April. However, when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended the stay at home order until May 1, Alexander and his team decided to continue providing meals.

“This is the only meal some of these people get all day. So there’s a need, and if there’s a need, we’ll be here,” Alexander said.

Alexander begins his day around 9 a.m. to go shopping for the food he’ll need. He said he tries to limit his grocery trips as much as possible. However, with high demand for groceries and stores struggling to keep shelves stocked, Alexander said he often has to adjust brands and meals based on what’s available. 

“We begin every shift with a pre-screening that we received when we were hired at the elderly home, which was directed down from the health department,” Chef Alexander said. “We make sure no one has any obvious symptoms, and then we’re wearing masks, and obviously gloves, to protect ourselves.”

Every day, Foodies produces between 200-300 entrees. For resident Heather Hoelzer, the meals from Foodies have been a big help.

“I heard about Foodies meals through a Facebook group for the service industry workers in Ann Arbor who had been laid off,” Hoelzer said. “My boyfriend was laid off of his job downtown and we knew countless others in the same boat. With us both out of work, the free meals offered by Foodies were a huge blessing.” 

Hoelzer operates a Dairy Queen in Dexter, which is temporarily closed due to COVID-19, and was inspired to support Foodies’ efforts. 

“I wanted to return the favor by providing a treat toward the cause,” Hoelzer said. Hoelzer’s father owns the ice cream shop and they decided to donate 100 Blizzards to Foodies and the remaining food to local food pantries.

“Everyone has been great, but I wish more people knew,” Gordon said. “I’m so happy with what we’re doing.”

Other local community members are helping the cause, too. Kevin Jacobi-Klan, the funeral arranger at Muehlig Funeral Home, allowed Foodies to park their truck at the funeral home at no charge to help Alexander and his staff. 

“This is the example I want to set for my three boys,” Alexander said. “My sons have been looking to me for advice on how to get through this and I want to show them that people come together. We help each other and care for our community.”

The meals are given out on a first come, first served basis, so when Foodies runs out, they close up for the day. If there are any meals left over, Foodies delivers them to the Ann Arbor Police Department.

Alexander is currently accepting donations to support Foodies’ work. Foodies operates from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the Muehlig Funeral Chapel at 403 S. 4th Ave. in Ann Arbor.

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