WCC: Washtenaw Economic Club provides 300 gourmet meals to local healthcare workers
Three hundred local healthcare workers were treated to a gourmet meal recently thanks to a group effort by the Washtenaw Economic Club, Washtenaw Community College and Fabulous Foods, Inc.
The idea for the donation was born in preparation for the Washtenaw Economic Club’s annual presentation of the Washtenaw County Economic Outlook, provided by University of Michigan economists Gabriel Ehrlich and Donald Grimes.
That meeting was moved off the WCC campus to virtual presentation because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant Washtenaw Economic Club members in attendance wouldn’t be enjoying a delicious lunch from Fabulous Foods, Inc., a catering company located at WCC and used for WCC Conference Services events.
Portions of the proceeds generated from the event — along with additional financial support from WCC administration — were used to make sure some deserving individuals were treated to some culinary delights.
“We felt compelled to call upon the members and supporters of the Washtenaw Economic Club to join us in demonstrating gratitude to the brave healthcare workers of Washtenaw County for their tremendous effort in keeping our community safe and healthy,” said WCC Manager of Corporate and Community Engagement Loren Townes. “It put a smile on my heart to be part of such a generous act of gratitude.”
Three hundred meals were split between St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor and Michigan Medicine. But this wasn’t your standard sandwich-and-a-bag-of-chips lunch.
The three main course meals prepared by Fabulous Foods executive chef Kyle Kooyers were an oven roasted breast of chicken with smoky-sweet BBQ glaze, slow-roasted beef brisket with savory gravy, and a mushroom and cheese ravioli with mixed mushroom sauce. Side dishes included rosemary scented mashed potatoes, tomato and kale saute with roasted garlic bits, fresh green beans with citrus zest and sugar snap peas with sesame.
The meals were delivered by Townes, Kooyers, WCC Manager of Conference & Events Services Patrick Downey and Fabulous Foods employees Larry Jenks and Marley Powers.
“Folks were extremely appreciative of the recognition,” reported Tarun Abraham, Director of Acute Care Flow and Case Management at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, who helped coordinate the donation. “Everyone commented on how delicious the food was.”
