Nonprofit Dine11 Provides Lifeline, Help to Local LA Restaurants, Feeds Frontline Workers

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A nonprofit organization born out of the coronavirus crisis is providing a lifeline to local LA area restaurants while feeding frontline workers.

Nestled in the sleepy town of Eagle Rock, business was already challenging for the sandwich shop, Bite Me Gourm-Asian, before the coronavirus.

"We didn't even know what was going to happen ever since shelter in place took effect," says Sue Keh Bennett, who is one of the co-owners.

She says her longtime friend Tom Pace reached out about getting involved with the newly founded nonprofit Dine11 and that gave her shop some life.

"For him to have just reached out, out of the blue to be like, 'Can we help you, can we do this? Do you want it?' I mean, my heart just burst," she said.

These are just some of the people involved in @Dine11_LA - a nonprofit that is feeding frontline workers during the #coronavirus crisis while providing a lifeline to the local restaurant industry in LA. Hear more @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/LcCfEe5Joh

— Margaret Carrero (@KNXmargaret) May 14, 2020

Chef Josef Centeno has several restaurants in downtown Los Angeles and one in Culver City. He’s been working with Dine11 from the beginning thanks to a mutual friend of one of the founders.

"Dine11 was definitely a blessing in disguise for me because it did keep me working," Centeno said.

The organization has grown its mission from feeding frontline workers in hospitals in underserved communities to include those on Skid Row, those caring for seniors, and those working at coronavirus testing sites.

Donations can be made at Dine11.org