The Christian fast food company Chick-fil-A broke one of its internal rules yesterday, engaging in charity work to serve those stranded at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
After a fire-induced power outage, travelers at the airport went without power for over 11 hours, many stranded with no idea what was happening. Thousands of flights were canceled, and most cell phones wouldn’t work due to a lack of charging stations.
While they’re traditionally closed on Sunday, Chick-fil-A stores in the area quickly mobilized to volunteer their time to those stranded, providing free meals. According to Business Insider,
As day turned to night, the city of Atlanta turned to Chick-fil-A to help craft a solution.
Atlanta’s mayor, Kasim Reed, called the fast-food chain at about 10 p.m. and asked for assistance, a company spokeswoman, Amanda Hannah, told Business Insider in an email.
Chick-fil-A is not open on Sunday because of the founder’s religious beliefs. But on this Sunday, Chick-fil-A employees “immediately mobilized,” Hannah said, making sandwiches and delivering them to an emergency operations center to be distributed to stranded passengers.
The City of Atlanta has mobilized the Georgia International Convention Center and will provide shuttle services for anyone who needs a place to stay for the night. @ChickfilA will provide food for passengers.
— City of Atlanta, GA (@Cityofatlanta) December 18, 2017
Chik-fil-A’s spokesperson continued, saying: “It has been a very difficult day for thousands of travelers. And while Chick-fil-A is always closed on Sunday, our restaurants open occasionally to serve communities in need.”
She went on: “We do not make a profit but do what we can to offer comfort to people experiencing hardship.”
LIGHTS ON and delivering food and water to our passengers! Thank you @dancathy with @ChickfilA for opening on a SUNDAY! #ChristmasMiracle pic.twitter.com/0PlSxHIWj5
— Atlanta Airport (@ATLairport) December 18, 2017
Chick-fil-A = the best https://t.co/2jpiD6ti89
— Melissa Quinn (@MelissaQuinn97) December 18, 2017
Last night Chick-fil-A delivered food and water to the Atlanta Airport after the power outage to passengers delayed/flight cancellations. ON A SUNDAY pic.twitter.com/sBvu2kuuem
— SEC Country (@SECcountry) December 18, 2017
I propose that Chick-Fil-A and Southwest team up and hold a conference to teach all other companies how to do customer service. They're the only ones who've figured it out.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) December 18, 2017
Chick-Fil-A isn't even open on Sundays and yet they immediately jumped in to help stranded passengers in Atlanta – and that's far from the first time Chick-Fil-A has rushed to help in a crisis. They are in a league of their own. pic.twitter.com/pGAEPvgk7h
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) December 18, 2017
And lastly:
You know it’s a State of Emergency when Chick-fil-a open up on a Sunday.#ATL #ATLAirport
— Dré Jones (@DreQJones) December 18, 2017
What a heartwarming story amidst a tragic event. The people stranded at the Atlanta airport were effectively abandoned for over 11 hours. Every news report described the situation as chaotic, where authorities struggled to get the airport back into functioning order.
Thankfully, Chick-fil-A was on hand to do God’s work, and deliver nourishment to the needy and desperate. I’m sure those delicious sandwiches brought a smile to many dour faces.
Share this inspiring story with others if you love Chick-fil-A!