These very essential workers help us get our essentials.

If you had told us three months ago that the hottest spot in the Queen City would be our neighborhood grocery stores, we would’ve chuckled as we called our uber to the Charlotte Beer Garden.

But, that statement is true. With stores, restaurants and breweries all closed to the public, grocery stores are one of the few places deemed essential during this crisis. They are busier than ever and they are handling it with grace (even though we are sure some of the customers aren’t).

Between keeping the shelves stocked, making sure stores are sanitary, and doing their best to keep employees and customers safe by following social distancing and patron capacity limits, the Queen City’s grocery stores have more than risen to the occasion. And we want to say thank you.

For this week’s challenge, we want you to create a sketch of a graphic thanking the grocery store workers who have been essential in keeping us fed since day one of the stay-at-home orders. We need your help to thank them for going above and beyond during this time to keep our stomachs full and our toilet paper supply stocked.

If we like your sketch, we’ll commission you to complete the graphic.

We’re looking for a graphic that is:

• Fun
• Striking
• Positive with its messaging
• Easily shareable on social media

We don’t need you to build your work completely. We just need a sketch of what you’re planning to evaluate and links to previous work. From there, we’ll pick an idea we’d like to see completely fleshed out. And we’ll give you a $50 honorarium to help complete your design.

How to Be Considered

Your sketched out ideas and links to existing work must be sent to thebiscuit@charlotteiscreative.com by 11pm this Sunday, May 17. The winner and runners-up will be notified by Wednesday, May 20 via email. Everyone who participates will keep the rights to their art.

This QC Creative Challenge is supported by Charlotte Center City Partners and Charlotte SHOUT.