With Edwards Lifesciences on a partial lockdown for coronavirus, the company’s 7,000 SF commercial kitchen in Irvine, CA was under-utilized. The company, which manufactures heart valves, monitors and catheters, quickly pivoted, and started cooking more than 400 meals a day for area homeless shelters.
“It’s important to think differently and find new ways to help above and beyond the norm,” says CFO Scott Ullem, who came up with the idea.
The meals go to shelters operated by Mercy House and the Illumination Foundation. Both organizations are working hard to serve the local homeless population, which is especially vulnerable to COVID-19.
Edwards is covering the costs for the daily meals, including $1,500 a day for food.
“In a moment like this, you want to be a contributor,” says Amanda Fowler, Edwards’ senior director of global corporate giving. “It’s a pretty phenomenal way to leverage our kitchen.”
In addition to donating meals, the company has also given close to $1 million in COVID-focused grants, including PPE donations to healthcare workers. Learn more here.
