Long Branch cake guru Monja Chiara was searching for ways to help in these trying times when she came across an initiative called Sustain the Line, which helps feed frontline workers battling COVID-19.

The owner of Cake Star, at 3431 Lake Shore Blvd. W., is one of a number of Etobicoke businesses which have volunteered for the program that fed more than 1,200 meals to hard-working medical and emergency workers in their first two weeks.

“This is a great program,” Chiara says. “We have fed many frontline workers and they truly appreciate the meals.”

A fixture on a number of TV baking shows, she says many restaurants want to help feed healthcare workers, but don’t have the support they need to do so.

Their purpose, according to the group’s website, is to connect local food businesses able and willing to deliver meals to frontline healthcare workers to supporters willing to fund these meals.

Anyone who wants to donate funds or deliver meals can get in touch using a Sustain the Line website. The donor pays the food provider a lump sum to make the meals, and then the provider gets in touch with local healthcare workers.

The concept started with Toronto’s Mission Watch Company and Old Road BBQ in Nova Scotia committing to feed frontline workers for a month in Nova Scotia. NextLevel (New Jersey), Conduit Law (Toronto) and Aron Brand (Montreal) joined them within days to expand the idea to North America.

The non-profit organization aims to connect more small food businesses to those who want to fund meals for frontline healthcare workers.

To donate or volunteer visit www.sustaintheline.com/