Fundraising Effort to Deliver Meals to RI Healthcare Workers Has Exceeded $20K - and Keeps Going

Fundraising Effort to Deliver Meals to RI Healthcare Workers Has Exceeded $20K - and Keeps Going

A campaign to help provide healthy meals to frontline workers has been helping during the coronavirus crisis in Rhode Island -- beyond expectations. 

“Feeding the Front Line," started by Bernie and Kelly Lambrese, started with a goal of raising $5,000 in the effort, but has now far exceeded that.

As of Friday, the fundraising page had more than $20,000 in donations. 

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This week, Vin Marzullo — who is a regular volunteer at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and recently served as President of AARP Rhode Island — helped drop off meals to workers. 

"Mission accomplished -- 100 healthy meals delivered to Hasbro Children's Hospital; pay it forward - $20 buys a meal for a healthcare hero. Thank you for your compassion/generosity!" said Marzullo. 

About the Effort

The Lambreses write: 

"The Covid 19 pandemic has impacted our society in unimaginable ways. Businesses are shut down, the healthcare system is stressed to the max, and we live in fear of catching a virus that we cannot see and which has no cure or vaccine. 

The goal of this campaign is twofold: support the local restaurants that are hurting now and struggling for survival, and provide a quality meal for the frontline healthcare workers that are taking great personal risk and sacrificing their family life in order to treat our families, friends and neighbors infected by the virus.

Kelly and I live in the beautiful town of Bristol, RI, and along with our close friends enjoy so many meals at many fine establishments. We have identified five great places that we want to help: DeWolf Tavern, Leo’s Restaurant, The Lobster Pot, Portside Tavern and Roberto’s. The proprietors at these restaurants are appreciative, supportive and eager to feed the front line.  Each have agreed to prepare a great dinner for $15 per person.

This Wednesday, April 1, we will have these restaurants prepare dinners to be delivered to the front line workers at RI hospitals in order to nourish and thank them.  They are fighting an invisible, potentially deadly enemy and frequently are ill-equipped to protect themselves and their patients.

When you go out to eat, you may spend $75 - $150 for dinner for two. Please consider donating what you would have spent on a night out to Feed the Front Line workers.  $15 will feed a healthcare worker, $75 will feed five, and $150 will feed ten. Any donation is greatly appreciated, although we realize that not every one of you is currently working so this may be a problem and we understand - but please consider sharing this campaign with your network so we can gain some traction. The more we raise, the more people we can feed and provide food in future weeks as well.

Kelly and I plan on feeding 20 healthcare hero's next week. What can you do?"

DONATE HERE

Watch for “Feeding the Front Line” Next Week — on GoLocal LIVE