Naperville Creates Fund To Help Provide Meals To First Responders

NAPERVILLE, IL — As coronavirus fears have shut down restaurants throughout the state, Naperville has started a fund to provide restaurant meals to first responders and health care workers. Naperville Helps! has established a GoFundMe to collect funds for meals that will be sent to employees at Edward-Elmhurst Health, along with the Naperville Fire Department and Police Departments.

Kaylin Risvold, President and CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce said in a statement about the program, "This idea came from a community member who just wanted to help our businesses and those working on the front lines. It took ONE IDEA, shared with us, to initiate this campaign. We know our incredible community will come together to support this effort because it benefits those who support us."

According to Katie Wood, Executive Director of the Downtown Naperville Alliance, all donated funds will go to helping those in the Naperville community. Wood said, "We have come together to do what we can to support the health care workers and those on the front lines while also supporting our restaurants who are facing new challenges. This way, those working to keep us safe can enjoy a nourishing meal - and Chamber Member and Downtown restaurants will enjoy increased business."

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Restaurants who want to lend a hand to the efforts can email chamber@naperville.net.

Those wanting to contribute funds can click the link to donate to the Naperville Helps! GoFundMe. As of Wednesday, the GoFundMe had raised $700 of its $10,000 goal.

Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.