As an extension and virtual reimagination of our annual Excellence Awards, Inspiring Excellence shines spotlights on the small and mid-size businesses who have made a difference in our community during these unprecedented times. With input from the Excellence Awards Committee, the Chamber chose 10 organizations to recognize whose stories have inspired our members.
On Friday, March 20th, 12th St Catering donated the last of their perishable food and turned the lights off for an indefinite hiatus. Over the weekend, a longtime corporate client called Michele Leff, Principal, 12th Street Catering, to discuss a weekly donation that would feed local frontline workers. That Monday, a skeleton crew reassembled to begin the work.
The response was overwhelming. The calls and emails from grateful recipients were all the motivation they needed to keep going. A few weeks later, they were asked to help a city-funded program that feeds the homeless, to which they eagerly accepted.
Most recently, 12th Street Catering’s corporate donor has shifted to partnering with an urban farm whose goal is to build equity and foster economic opportunity. They are working together to provide vegetable boxes and meals to the community. The work that they have been doing over the past 5 months has been incredibly meaningful.
In addition to the tremendous work they are doing with the underserved citizens of Philadelphia, the team at 12th Street Catering has worked to pivot their social occasions catering. So many people have called them to say they need to celebrate an occasion, but have no idea how to safely make it work in today’s climate. And so, the team re-imagined events through the creation of their Celebration Box. These curated meals give everyone the opportunity to celebrate safely, while virtually gathering together with the same meal.
From day one of this pandemic, Michele has worked non-stop to reinvent her business, and help people in any way she can. 12th Street Catering has made it their mission to donate ALL excess food to homeless shelters. They found creative ways to bring some employees back to work, who would have otherwise remained on unemployment. And they’re working with other local caterers to make sure we are hosting safe events in our communities.
Inspiring Excellence: Honoring the Resiliency of Small to Mid-Size Businesses
Check out the program book from the November 19 celebration to read not just the stories of our 10 honorees, but also those of the over 70 organizations who were nominated.
