Throughout the country, there are hundreds of thousands of first responders on the frontline, fighting COVID-19 and helping patients suffering from this virus. Community members, including right here in Chicago, have also stepped up to serve others. We at Marquee Sports Network want to recognize all of these Hometown Heroes for their efforts.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began in March, Frontline Foods was founded on the coasts. Frontline Foods is an organization that is partnered with World Central Kitchen to help feed frontline workers and essential businesses in their respective cities. Then, in April, Bre Smith wanted to found a Chicago chapter.

“I love to take care of people. That’s what I do. By means of Frontline Foods, I was able to take care of people, even though I was in my home,” Smith said.

She got the approval and began her work right away. Through her contacts at Frontline Foods and her outreach, over 40 local restaurants started a partnership with the Frontline Foods Chicago chapter. They received monetary donations from corporate partners and personal donors to help purchase meals for frontline workers and essential businesses. Smith began the organization of getting meals to these businesses and people.

“It was really good knowing that I could be that middle person so both sides felt this like ‘We’re in good hands. Someone is orchestrating this for us’,” Smith said.

Since the chapter was started on April 7, Smith and her team have given away over 50,000 meals to frontline workers, essential businesses and charities to help the youth as well. Because of these efforts, she’s helped put in over $400,000 back into the restaurants in Chicago.

“We all live here. Everyone all somehow ties in together,” Smith said. “It makes me feel really happy that we’re doing this. To give back to a city that I think really prides itself on community and being such a great city that is welcoming and warm and really genuinely cares about the people in Chicago, I felt like I wanted to do my part.”

If you would like to learn more about Frontline Foods or make a donation, you can head to their Chicago chapter website.

If you would like to nominate our next Hometown Hero, you can click here.