The Arlington nonprofit Nehemiah Builds, Inc. wants to put good food from local restaurants together with the good people on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis. They’re seeking the support from the public to make that happen.

Nehemiah Builds is the nonprofit arm of The Nehemiah Company, a development company with a primary role in North Arlington’s Viridian community. Their new Feed the Frontline project started this week with the goal of raising $10,000 in donations. The idea took shape when leaders of Nehemiah Builds saw the challenges that maintaining healthy social distancing to flatten the curve of COVID-19 infections presented for local small businesses, especially restaurants.

“We were looking for ways that we could respond in our Arlington community and meet immediate needs in this really unique time,” says Kate Jordan, Director of Nonprofit Operations and Administration at The Nehemiah Company. The answer Nehemiah Builds came up with is to help struggling restaurants while also supporting “the people who are working hard to make sure everyone stays healthy and safe,” Jordan said.

Nehemiah Builds hopes to begin ordering food and arranging deliveries from restaurants on Monday, April 6. Meals will go to those working in healthcare settings and first responders, like Arlington firefighters and police officers. The group has already set up a webpage to connect with donors who want to help at https://nehemiahbuilds.com/nehemiah-cares/. Anyone who knows of a hospital, healthcare facility, or local business that could benefit from the effort can also email [email protected] with facility or restaurant names and contact information so Feed the Frontline can reach out.

Employees at the Nehemiah Company, as well as local builders and members of Gathering Church Viridian, have already made financial contributions. Jordan says Nehemiah Builds set the $10,000 goal after seeing the widespread success of similar initiatives in other parts of the U.S. 

“Knowing the people of Arlington are really generous and community focused, we think we’ll get there,” Jordan says. She added that everyone at The Nehemiah Company and Nehemiah Builds is hoping that the Feed the Frontline project can be a blessing to Arlington during a difficult time. 

“We are an unashamedly Christian organization and we are praying for our local area, both that people will stay healthy and that our businesses will stay healthy as well,” Jordan says.