The Atlanta Hawks Are Innovating New Ways To Assist Their City Through Partnerships

As the country grapples with both a public health and economic challenge, some organizations are creating new ways of helping solve the multilayered problem. One of those innovative organizations is the Atlanta Hawks. Right after the NBA suspended the season, the Hawks sprung into action.

In less than two days, Principal Owner Tony Ressler, pledged to take care of their part-time employees. Even though there would be no games played over the next two pay periods, workers would still receive their regularly scheduled paychecks.

On March 20, along with State Farm, the team supported the Goodr company to combat food insecurity in the city.

Now the organization is stepping up to assist the local heroes in the community.

Through the Hawks foundation, the Atlanta Hawks are partnering with State Farm to support the frontline workers treating COVID-19 patients at Emory Healthcare. This innovative multi-week meal program aims to support local heroes and bolster the Atlanta restaurant community. The plan helps Atlanta, where it needs it the most – supporting healthcare professionals and the local economy.

Emory Healthcare, the official healthcare provider of the Atlanta Hawks, employs over 1,000 frontline workers at six different hospitals who are rising to the challenge. Simultaneously, local restaurant employees who have recently been laid off or furloughed due to the financial effects of the COVID-19 situation will be re-employed.

Currently, frontline caregivers are working longer shifts and seeing more patients than ever. Thanks to this partnership, the Hawks Foundation and State Farm are funding the preparation of 4,000 meals weekly to serve approximately 1,000 healthcare workers, restaurant-quality, nutritious meals that serve two, five teams a week.

Two local Atlanta restaurants are preparing the meals: Forza Storico, a traditional Roman restaurant by the owners of Storico Fresco, and Miller Union, a Southern restaurant co-owned by James Beard and award-winning chef Steven Satterfield. Due to the current regulations to prevent the spreading of the virus, both restaurants, like many others in the Atlanta community, were temporarily closed and forced to lay off staff.

Both restaurants will be able to re-employ their respective staff and provide sustainable work for multiple farmers, ranchers, and bakers that provide the ingredients.

The meal delivery program which began on Friday and will take place for the next four weeks is expected to be expanded in the near future. The team hopes for this plan to provide a significant boost to the Atlanta restaurant economy while continuing to serve the healthcare community throughout greater Atlanta.

“The work of the medical community in combatting COVID-19 across the nation has been inspiring and absolutely incredible. While there is no way to truly repay our doctors, nurses, first responders and other healthcare workers for making this sacrifice and taking the risks they are taking every day, this effort is an important way to show our great appreciation of their heroic work on behalf of the city of Atlanta,” said Tony Ressler.

Ressler continued, “We are also proud that this program will aid our friends in the restaurant community, allowing many Atlantans in the food industry to keep or regain employment during this difficult time.”

Of course, it would not be #TrueToAtlanta if the players, coaches, and A-List rappers were not involved. Friday, the team released a video that included 2 Chainz, Killer Mike, Quavo, and Hawks players and coaches voicing their gratitude to Atlanta’s local heroes.

With no games scheduled for the foreseeable future, the Hawks are using their resources and connections to help solve the complex problems that face their community.

Instead of jump shots, they are serving up assists. Instead of diagramming plays, they are collaborating with leaders across different industries. Now more than ever, the Hawks remain a vital leader in the city of Atlanta.