Final push underway for GoFundMe campaign that has already “exceeded everyone’s expectations.”

When Kessenich’s Ltd. launched the S.O.S Fund, a GoFundMe page to benefit furloughed Madison restaurant workers, the organizers had no idea it would be as successful as it’s been. With about two and a half weeks left of the fundraiser (launched in partnership with News 3 Now, channel3000.com, Madison Magazine and TVW on April 2), the fund has raised $53,817 of the $75,000 initial goal.

“It’s really exceeded everyone’s expectations,” says Kelly Hopkins, an account executive and Madison marketing liaison for Kessenich’s, which is a local restaurant supply store.

In an effort to make the final push to the fundraising goal, there’s a new way to support the S.O.S. Fund — a portion of proceeds from a handful of local products sold at all Metcalfe’s Market and Willy Street Co-op locations will go to the fund. S.O.S. signage at the grocery stores and S.O.S. stickers on packaging identify the participating products, which are Pasqual’s Cantina’s tortilla chips, JBC Coffee Roasters’ special “Local Love” coffee blend (created especially for the S.O.S. Fund), Slide Gourmet Potato Chips, Bunky’s hummus, Banzo’s falafel, Super Charge! Foods’ micro greens and Potter’s Crackers’ Wisconsin Rye and Winter Wheat flavors.

These S.O.S.-supporting products have been available since the beginning of May, and Hopkins says the initial response has been encouraging. “I’m in close contact with Teresa at Bunky’s, and she said last week that she delivered her regular quantity of hummus to the Willy Street Co-ops, and by Thursday they called her and said, ‘We’re out!’ She’s like, ‘That never happens where, two days later, our regular order amount is depleted.'”

Read the entire article on Madison Magazine’s website.

Kessenich’s has created a GoFundMe page dedicated to raising money for Madison’s restaurant workers who have been furloughed due to COVID-19.

Funds raised by this campaign will be donated to servers, bartenders, back-of-the-house employees, and staff that are not eligible to apply for unemployment.

Here is how your donations will assist these workers:

• $50 pays a worker’s utility bill.
• $100 helps a worker pay their car insurance.
• $200 puts food on the table for a worker’s family.
• $500 helps a worker pay their rent or mortgage.
• $1,000 helps 3-4 workers pay their bills.

Show your support for Madison’s restaurant workers, donate to the S.O.S. Fund.

Hello Madison foodies! Madison Restaurant Week is returning with a special carryout and to-go edition. Local businesses need our support now more than ever. Starting Monday, May 18 through Saturday, May 30, enjoy Madison Magazine’s Restaurant Week To Go — a two-week dining experience featuring three-course and family-style menus. Any way you participate, you’re helping support the chefs and restaurants that make Madison the dining destination that it is and we hope continues to be after we safely navigate the current public health crisis.

Browse special menus created specifically for Restaurant Week To Go. Some feature three-course meals, just like traditional Restaurant Week, while others offer a family-style meal. Restaurants will be offering prix-fixe three-course meals for $25 and family meals for $40. See all menus below.

To Order: Visit each individual restaurant’s menu and either call the restaurant or visit their website which may have online ordering capabilities.

Visit Madison Magazine’s website to see the full list of participating restaurants.

Former Alto-Shaam VP of Sales to lead foodservice equipment dealer sales team.

Southfield, MI – March 16, 2020: Great Lakes welcomes Warren Casey as Vice President of Sales. Casey will manage all sales operations for Great Lakes Hotel Supply (Southfield, MI), Great Lakes West (Mattawan, MI), Kessenich’s (Madison, WI), and HMAK (Pittsburgh, PA) with a focus on expanding markets across the United States in this newly created position.

Casey joins Great Lakes Hotel Supply with over 20 years of experience in the foodservice equipment industry, most recently as Vice President of Sales for Alto-Shaam. Prior to that he was Regional Sales Director for Rational USA.

“I am thrilled to join the dynamic team at Great Lakes Ventures.* I’m ready to hit the ground running and look forward to a new challenge.”

“Todd Heeter (President, Great Lakes West) and I are looking forward to Warren’s immediate contribution to our leadership team. Warren’s experience, knowledge, leadership and insight will help mentor and expand our sales team.”, said Great Lakes Hotel Supply Owner and CEO Marc Israel. “With Warren’s background as a chef, foodservice operator, and extensive sales management experience, he will provide a positive impact on not only our sales and marketing team, but throughout our entire organization.”

About Great Lakes:

Great Lakes is a commercial foodservice equipment dealer. Founded in 1933, the company provides equipment procurement, installation & custom fabrication, and total project management for any size commercial kitchen.* One of the top 30 foodservice equipment dealers in the United States, Great Lakes serves multiple diverse market segments across the country.