Friends & Fortitude
It ’ s no secret that restaurants were hit hard during the pandemic , but even at the toughest moments , many Baltimore eateries kept their doors open and supported the community that supports them .
Nationwide restaurant industry sales were down $ 240 billion in 2020 , according to the National Restaurant Association . Millions of workers were out of work due to furloughs , closures and lower-capacity dining , and 110,000 locations nationwide were temporarily or permanently closed , according to the association ’ s summary of a 2021 industry report .
It ’ s been rough . And yet , some restaurants have managed to weather the storm .
“ The pandemic left many food service workers out of jobs and with great uncertainty regarding the stability of their income , especially for those who rely on tips as their main income source ,” explains Ginny Lawhorn , managing partner of Friends and Family , which serves plant-based comfort food . “ Friends and Family has provided employees with a set living hourly wage , allowing for a sense of financial security which was not previously possible while relying only on tip wages .”
Today , Friends and Family is open and — like many — is following “ CDC and Johns Hopkins safety measures as outlined for restaurants ,” its website confirms . And other more community-focused measures are making an impact .
Every month , through a social media raffle , Lawson says Friends and Family makes a $ 100 contribution in a guest ’ s name to a Baltimore-based community organization or non-profit and provides the guest with a $ 50 gift card . The eatery has also held school supply drives for area classrooms , Lawhorn says , with support in recent years going to George Washington Elementary and James McHenry Elementary School .
The Friends and Family focus on community didn ’ t start with the pandemic : the restaurant also prioritizes sustainability and supporting local business partners . The menu features plant-based bites such as a scramble made with roasted corn , black beans , purple cabbage , sliced radish and salsa verde topped with plantbased elote sauce , along with homemade vegan biscuits and gluten-free and vegan cocktails .
BALTIMORE . ORG 27