New Facebook Group "Flash Mobs" Area Restaurants

In these surreal times, we're all adapting in one way or another.

For the restaurant industry, which has been devastated by social distancing mandates, take-out and delivery options are their only revenue stream.

Now, a new Facebook group aims to support area restaurants in their time of need by "flash mobbing" them with orders on select nights of the week.

The Socially Distanced Supper Club, created in late March, currently has 7,600 members – and counting. "There is strength in numbers (at a safe distance)," according to its Facebook page.

The group – run by administrators Iain Paterson, John Brewer, Robin DeLisser, Ann Ryan and Jenat Papademetriou – works like this. Local restaurants post menus for meals available on a certain night of the week. These menus may include discounts on regular dishes; special offerings, such as family meals; beer, wine and cocktails to-go; raw ingredients, like meat and produce; and household essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

Group members peruse menus on the Facebook page and call in their orders a day ahead, giving restaurants time to prepare while knowing just the amount of ingredients they need (thus minimizing waste). On the day-of, diners pick up their meals from the restaurants; some offer delivery.

So far, the response has been amazing, with dozens of restaurants in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth and West Palm Beach participating – and many expressing their gratitude for the community support.

Area restaurant owner Christina Betters, of Christina's in Delray Beach, posted this message to the group: "Thank you to everyone again this week! You guys are doing a phenomenal job. I feel amazing to be a part of this community. Seeing everyone is so uplifting, my heart is overjoyed and I'm filled with gratitude."

The Socially Distanced Supper Club Facebook group is free to join and open to the public.

For more information, click here.