Coronavirus is putting an unprecedented strain on New York City hospitals and health care systems. Medical personnel are working long hours in stressful conditions caring for the most vulnerable among us.
To show support, some restaurants around Bushwick are bringing food to local hospitals feeding hospital staff and medical personnel amidst the crisis. In an exceptional case of giving back, Daniel Teran, founder and CEO of, The Watson Group, is working with his team at The Wheelhouse, Millie’s Cuban Cafe, and the owners of Grimaldi Bakery to send hundreds of meals consisting of assorted grilled cheese sandwiches, soups, and cookies to the Wyckoff Hospital every week for the next several months feeding the nurses and doctors on the frontlines.
But Teran says this is “just the beginning of his mission.” He plans to turn his not yet open, 3,000 square foot dance-bar, Farewell in Bushwick, into a food bank to assemble and provide meals to surrounding hospitals in Brooklyn on a daily basis.
He feels that since his industry is considered essential during this crisis, he has a responsibility to make sure the neighborhoods are safe and fed. Teran also hopes he can inspire other restaurants to do the same. “In tough times you cannot feel down or defeated,” he told the Bushwick Daily, “you must keep your head up, figure out solutions and execute.”
The Wheelhouse and Millie’s Cuban Cafe are still open for takeout and delivery. But closing certain times of the day to pack meals for the hospital.
For anyone interested in helping contribute to the initiative which is currently self-funded by Teran, you can check out the Gofundme page.
Teran isn’t the only restaurant owner working to feed the healthcare workers taking care of our most vulnurable.
The Deep End is a restaurant on the Brooklyn and Queens border who started a GoFundMe campaign to, “bring free hot meals to the healthcare workers who are on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus.” Their campaign has received over $6,000 at time of publishing.
Fundraisers say that the money will be used to buy food to feed the 75-person teams at Wyckoff Heights and Brooklyn Hospital. At their calculations, $15 buys a meal which means that their $25,000 fundraising goal will feed the full Wyckoff team for about a month.
Tony’s Pizzeria and Restaurant has also been delivering food to the hospital workers on at least three occasions when generous customers have come in and purchased meals. Yesterday, the nearby 83rd precinct, bought a surprise gift of Tony’s Pizza which was delivered, in a show of spirit, by a 15 car police escort with sirens blaring. Video below from Tony’s Pizza Facebook Account.
Cover photo courtesy of Eric Gutierrez
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