CULINARY COLORADO SPRINGS
Culinary Colorado Springs is a community Facebook group dedicated to supporting the local food and drink industry in Colorado Springs, Colorado and uplifting struggling businesses and owners during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The group of 8,500 highly engaged members connects food- and drink-lovers to business owners and industry professionals, increasing customer understanding of industry challenges and perspectives while providing owners a space to build relationships with and glean insights from potential customers. A Social Return on Investment (SROI)* Study conducted by Colorado Institute for Social Impact determined that the total contributions of the volunteer-run group toward strengthening the community in 2020 were nearly $1.1 million.
* SROI is the measurement, in a language of dollars and cents, of the value of an organization’s efforts to alleviate a social, environmental or community issues.
COMMUNITY INTERACTIONS & IMPACT
In early March 2020, as major cities around the United States began issuing shutdown orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, two Colorado Springs residents (Matthew Schniper, Food and Drink Editor at the Colorado Springs Independent, and Lauren Hug, a community strategist) brainstormed fast ways to help the local restaurant industry survive restrictions. On March 15, 2020, a day before the first Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) order temporarily closing bars and restaurants was issued, they launched Culinary Distancing COS, a community Facebook group.
Read the complete Culinary Distancing COS Community Interactions & Impact Report.
The Colorado Institute for Social Impact (CI4SI) was hired by HugSpeak to conduct a project for Social Return on Investment (SROI) on the Culinary Distancing COS Facebook Page. Read the complete report here.
Tim & Monse Hines, owners Monse’s Taste of El Salvador – Tim & Monse Hines Profile
“On Culinary Distancing COS, Monse’s made it a point to highlight other businesses that we knew were struggling. Read more
Eric Brenner, Red Gravy Italian Bistro & Meals to Heal founder – Eric Brenner Profile
“The eased restrictions are great for businesses, but we also don’t want to see another COVID spike, it could swing back the other way, so we’re going to stay the course. Read more
Sarah Ryals, area freelance marketer & Culinary Distancing COS group member – Sarah Ryals Profile
“I worked as a waitress and bartender, so I’ve always had empathy for the service industry. Read more
Fala-Filo Middle Eastern Cuisine
“I posted photos of my food at Fala-Filo on Culinary Distancing COS and got many new customers because of that. Some have become regulars. The page provides the best help during this difficult period. Read more
Matthew Schniper, Co-Founder of Culinary Distancing COS and Food & Drink Editor at Colorado Springs Independent – Matthew Schniper Profile
“Lauren and I conceived the Culinary Distancing COS group just before the first pandemic lockdown in 2020, anticipating the seemingly impossible road ahead for the food and drink industry.
Stacey Burns, Co-Founder and Chief Impact Officer of Colorado Institute for Social Impact – Stacey Burns Profile
Social Media: “This being the first ever Social Return on Investment (SROI) study being done on a pandemic business solution, the findings are incredible. Read more
Lauren Hug, Co-Founder of Culinary Distancing COS and Author of Digital Kindness – Lauren Hug Profile
“People want to connect. They want to participate. They want to be part of something hopeful and uplifting. We’re thankful many in our community found Culinary Distancing COS to be a place where they could do all those things.”
