Takeout 25 NFP

Four years ago, in the midst of the pandemic, a simple idea took root: to help our local restaurants survive. On this day, November 17th, 2020?Takeout 25?was born—a movement made real by?you. Together, we saved businesses and livelihoods, proving the power of community. Today, Takeout 25 is a not-for-profit organization with an inclusive and positive mission to promote sustainability, address food insecurity, and strengthen our local economy. Together, here’s what we’ve achieved: -?16,100 members strong?and reach over 200,000 people each month -?110+ local restaurants?in our network -?10,000+ meals provided?to those in need - Partnerships with?15+ nonprofits and community organizations - Designated as Illinois’?first Green Dining Hub - Introduced?commercial composting?to our community - Replaced 15000 plastic bottles with?Takeout 25 Boxed Water - Analyzed by?Dominican/St. Francis Universities?and?Northwestern Kellogg Business School - Featured as a?social entrepreneurship case study?by the University of Virginia - Recognized as the?Most Innovative Pandemic Startup?at the IL Governor’s Conference on Tourism - Hosted annual community events like?Taste the Town?and the?Holiday Gift Card Bundle - Published our story in a book:?"The Takeout 25 Effect" At the heart of all this is?COMMUNITY. The community's support, participation, and belief in our mission have made every milestone possible. Thank you for being the foundation of this incredible journey. Here’s to many more years of working together to uplift our community. #takeout25 On behalf of our local restaurants, the Takeout 25 board, group moderators and partners. www.takeout25.org

Thanks Chicago Food & Beverage Network and Steve Dolinsky.

This week was the 6th bi-annual Takeout 25 restaurant owners/managers meet up at Rhythm and Blues Cafe. It was our biggest one yet. We discussed how to innovate, create people centered solutions and a shared sustainable future with food at its core. We brainstormed and prioritized ideas that we’ll execute collectively over the next 6 months. Thanks to everyone who came out to participate and make our conversations rich and meaningful. You feed our community and make it exciting, fun and livable. #takeout25 #food #sustainability #community Eric Roy John Harris Sean Hennessy Rob Guenthner Madeline Khan-Roberts Ravi Parakkat Bethany Brown Judith Alexander Annie Coakley Cassie Carroll

Takeout 25 NFP at the Sustainability Fair organized by the Forest Park Library. It was a great opportunity to update community members of the Takeout 25 green dining hub, the first in Illinois. Over the last year we have made significant progress in its set up and promotion. It was particularly meaningful to share the space with the Happy Apple Pie Shop and green dining hub participant. #sustainability #community #food #takeout25 Cassie Carroll John Harris Rob Guenthner Madeline Khan-Roberts Sean Hennessy Ravi Parakkat Amy Rosenthal Ana Garcia Doyle Laura Derks

The Takeout 25 Effect made an appearance at the September edition of the Triton College magazine (5th Avenue Journal). Do check it out, Page 15. https://lnkd.in/gjKSRNcp More about the book and how to get your copy at https://lnkd.in/gwFn6xBg #takeout25 Ravi Parakkat

This is a thank you note on behalf of our BarrieFest beneficiary partner, TaskForce Chicago. Support from our members helped us contribute to the mission of this impactful non profit serving LGBTQ+ youth in the western suburbs. Task Force Execurive Director Chris and team have just started a food pantry in addition to other services and we are supporting its build out in line with the Takeout 25 NFP food security mission. It’s great to be able to shine a spotlight and mobilize support for the good work done by Task force. Our community members made that possible. Thank you! Special thanks to Beyond Hunger for making the introductions. #takeout25 #foodinsecurity #hungeractionmonth #taskforce Ravi Parakkat John Harris Rob Guenthner Madeline Khan-Roberts Sean Hennessy Michele Zurakowski Susie Goldschmidt

“Comedy meets community”. Takeout 25 NFP founder Ravi Parakkat collaborates with the team from Comedy Plex Comedy Club on this unique event to promote his book “The Takeout 25 Effect” by exploring the funny in that journey. If you are in the area join us today Sep 15th 6 pm. https://lnkd.in/gBJwRDsa

Takeout 25 NFP partnered with SEOPCO (South East Oak Park Community Organization) on this years BarrieFest, a unique celebration of community and sustainability. In addition to bringing the community together to support our local food businesses, we were able to support Task Force Chicago an impactful nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youth in the western suburbs of Chicago. We also shared updates on our green dining hub journey with our community through our partnership with Illinois Green Business Program (SEDAC). Thanks to all our partners and the community. #Takeout25 #food #sustainability #community Cassie Carroll John Harris Rob Guenthner Sean Hennessy Madeline Khan-Roberts Christopher Baltazar Ravi Parakkat Cory Wesley

Takeout 25 NFP is proud to sponsor the 2024 Eats guide created by Growing Community Media NFP that features local food news, food specials and the special people who drive this industry locally. Please check it out. Link enclosed. ?? Special shout out to the local chefs who made the cover. Congratulations! Thanks GCM for the partnership. https://lnkd.in/g29s-ir4 #takeout25 #community #smallbusiness #leadership #localmedia #food Erika H. Ben Stumpe Nile Wendorf Dan Haley Ravi Parakkat John Harris Rob Guenthner Sean Hennessy Madeline Khan-Roberts

Byline Bank was proud to sponsor Takeout25-Taste of the Town. Donations to this event supported local performing arts through One Voice for the Arts. ? Ravi Parakkat spearheaded; Takeout 25 and recently published a book, The Takeout 25 Effect where Susie Goldschmit was quoted: ? I’m the market president for Byline Bank in Oak Park-River Forest. I have been a restaurant owner myself, and I was concerned about the effects of the pandemic on local restaurants. As a user of social media, I witnessed Takeout 25’s launch on Facebook and its growth and evolution into an impactful not-for profit. Inspired by how it was bringing the community together to help local restaurants, I started buying hundreds of $25 gift cards ($15,000.00 worth) on behalf of Byline Bank from local restaurants for Byline customers and as donations to local not-for profits. This act inspired by Takeout 25’s simple idea grew into a relationship with Takeout 25 that involved Byline Bank sponsoring Takeout 25 events and initiatives these past two years. (pages 120-121) -SUSIE GOLDSCHMIDT, OPRF market president for Byline Bank, Byline Bank, Takeout 25 NFP