Gather is a game-changer. Gather is an innovative concept, offering a variety of delicious meals at affordable prices from diverse vendors. In the midst of COVID-19, Gather’s open air environment and sensory garden is a fun way to get fresh air, find socially-distanced community and connectivity, as well as food that’s better than what you can make in a time crunch. Gather helps students get good meals. Every meal at Gather is affordable, but if you can’t afford to eat, we got you. If you can, you have the option to honor those who can’t via our contactless, honor-based payment model. No judgment, no weird vibes. In fact, we’ll spot five bucks to any student who needs it, using that same system. All you need is a student ID at pickup. Gather brings new business to emerging food entrepreneurs. Every year, Philadelphia welcomes thousands of new college students into its midst, many of whom are looking for fun, cool new experiences. Gather prioritizes vendors who are newer in the scene, helping them develop relationships with potential return customers. Food insecurity isn’t shameful. In fact, food insecurity is common and incredibly normal in our society. How many times have you heard of college students living on ramen noodles and peanut butter? Research shows that nearly half of college (48%) and university students (41%) students have struggled to pay for food. It’s time to change that. Gather is here for you during COVID-19. The onset of COVID-19 has left many students and emerging restaurants in a lurch. Gather provides support to students and food entrepreneurs who have been destabilized by campus closings, lay-offs, and shutdowns. Gather meets you where you are. Our community provides out-of-the-box digital programming that considers how people really live. Examples: “Healthy recipes with convenience store recipes,” “Color therapy that speaks to health,” and “Eating for the 5 senses.” Logistics. Gather will be open from October 23 to November 20. Lunch is served from 10AM to 3PM. Dinner is from 4PM - 6PM. Located in Philadelphia’s Spring Arts district, find Gather at the 1000 block of Nectarine Street (behind Union Transfer), not far from Temple University and Community College of Philadelphia. Gather is fully outdoors and designed for speedy, contactless service. Limited seating is available, in accordance with social distancing measures. To limit the spread of COVID-19, Gather will not have a customer restroom. LITTLE GIANT CREATIVE & BELIEVE IN STUDENTS LAUNCH GATHER FOOD HALL, A NEW INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS STUDENT HUNGER IN THE MIDST OF COVID-19
Philadelphia, PA — Little Giant Creative, and local nonprofit, Believe In Students, are proud to announce Gather, a new pop-up food hall concept located at the 1000 block of Nectarine Street just off Spring Garden (behind Union Transfer). Gather Food Hall is an open, outdoor space offering grab-and-go style meals from emerging local food entrepreneurs for $10 or less. Serving the community at large and college students in particular, the initiative seeks to combat food insecurity among college students with a shame-free pay-what-you-can model, where full-priced meals help pay for free meals for those who need it. Gather will be open Monday thru Saturday, observing social distance measures, from October 23 to November 20. COVID-19 has critically changed the paradigms of food service, food access, and small business ownership. Students in particular have experienced the dire effects of this pandemic, especially those who rely on meal plans, cafeterias, and money from service jobs. Many newly-established restaurants in Philadelphia are also struggling to find their footing. Little Giant Creative developed Gather Food Hall as a way to mitigate student hunger while also creating opportunities for new vendors in the Philly food scene. To ensure students can enjoy a complete meal on a budget, Gather is implementing a tiered pricing system in which each meal is $5, $7, or $10. College students who need further assistance can use Gather’s honor-based, self-pay kiosk system to discreetly take an additional $5 off of any meal with a student ID. Yes, that means $5 meals can be free for them. Anyone who comes to Gather can use the same system to “pay it forward” and donate toward student meals if they choose. Gather will feature delicious bites from Z’s Kitchen Indonesian Baked Goods, The Little Sicilian, Philly’s Finest Sambonis, and much more. “COVID-19 has exposed major vulnerabilities among our students and small businesses,” says Meegan Denenberg, Co-Founder of Little Giant Creative. “We concepted this project before the pandemic as an indoor space for students to hang out, study, and enjoy affordable, nutritious food. Instead of postponing Gather indefinitely, we realized that we had an opportunity and responsibility to meet students needs.” Gather has pivoted to a fully outdoor model with takeaway style meals and digital events, ensuring that everyone who Gathers can Gather safely. Gather is not just a place where students and the larger community can find healthy, eclectic food. The food hall will also host a series of digital events with subjects ranging from “How to make a meal with convenience store items” to “Food for the five senses.” Finally, Gather will be nestled in a simplified sensory garden, full of plants and herbs to be used by vendors, sold to customers, or simply enjoyed for the fresh air. Gather is currently accepting donations as it sets sights on expanding the initiative. “We’re envisioning Gather as a national initiative,” says Richard Binswanger, Board Chair of Believe in Students.“Food insecurity isn’t just a local issue, and neither is economic hardship for new food entrepreneurs. This kind of lifestyle-driven, empathy-forward thinking can be a catalyst for real change across the country.” Donations can be sent via this link: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/believe-in-students-inc/gather-food-hall Gather Food Hall opens October 23rd. Masks and social distancing required. To learn more about Gather, visit gatherfoodhall.com or follow Gather on social media at @gather_phl. Organizations interested in partnering can reach out to [email protected].
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