Dear First Draft Readers:
New Orleans needs your help again. The situation here is dire and getting worse. We have the 6th highest number of COVID-19 cases per capita in the country. It’s hard not to feel helpless in these terrible times but there are people trying to make a difference.
My friend and fellow Bayou Brief writer Troy Gilbert and local food writer Robert Peyton have a great idea about how to help our beleaguered restaurant industry. (Troy is one of the OG NOLA bloggers as well as one of the founders of Rising Tide.) Last week, Troy ran their idea by me, I was immediately impressed and urged them to go for it. Last weekend, Chef’s Brigade NOLA was born.
I’ll let them explain the details to you via two Facebook posts:
There’s a GoFundMe link at the bottom of the second post. Please join me in donating to help our restaurants survive and do what they do best: feed people.
Thanks in advance,
Adrastos who is trying to keep the Spirit of ’05 alive.
Updates can be found after the break.
3/26 UPDATE: I’ve been checking the GoFundMe link and saw some familiar names. I’ve also heard from some of our people who prefer to donate anonymously. Thanks, y’all.
Here’s a message from the publisher:
Followers and friends: A huge part of the First Draft family came together after Katrina to support NOLA and its people in their recovery. Everything from raising money to swinging sledgehammers. Whelp, it's time to pick the crowbars back up again: https://t.co/2MTKgUUf5U
— Allison Hantschel (@Athenae) March 25, 2020
3/27 UPDATE: I am proud of my peripheral involvement in this cause. It’s gone from an idea to reality in slightly over a week. Chef’s Brigade NOLA served their first meals yesterday,
3/28 UPDATE: The Chef’s Brigade NOLA GoFundMe has exploded. As of this writing they’ve raised over $26K. Troy and Robert are doing a great job. Thanks, y’all.
If you haven’t already done so, please donate as much as you can afford. Their goal is $80K. CLICK HERE.
3/29 UPDATE: This is the final day of this post as a “sticky” at the top of the blog. It will NOT be the last time you’ll hear about it. I’ll keep you updated and pass the collection plate again. Here’s a clip of Troy Gilbert on CNN. He was a good boy and did not drop one F bomb: