1. Donate first, then sell
When Palos Community Hospital switched up its service style from a traditional tray line to room service, its need for some of the serveware and larger equipment went out the window. The Palos Heights, Ill., facility turned to a used restaurant-equipment retailer to get rid of some items that were no longer suitable or functional with the new service platform. But many pieces went to a charitable cause.
“We sent portable stainless steel steam tables to organizations that could use them for meal service,” says Cheri Boublis, director of hospitality services at the hospital, which underwent a trifold renovation of its dining room, retail space and kitchen. Many of the hospital’s trays, plates and dishes went to Chicago groups like soup kitchens, the Veterans Association of America and the Association for Adults with Developmental Disabilities. “What has ceased to be useful to us may be useful to others,” Boublis says.