GatewayJFK sends 745 meals to frontline workers; supports local restaurants
During the week of April 27th, 2020 GatewayJFK sent 745 meals from restaurants in our neighborhood to frontline workers at Jamaica Hospital, the MTA, DSNY, Wildcat Sanitation Services, the NYPD, and the Port Authority Police Department.
To provide the meals, GatewayJFK partnered with 5 anchor restaurants in their neighborhood; Rockaway Plaza Delicatessen, New Castle Deli & Grocery, Boulevard Deli & Grill, Patriots Deli & Grill, and Jamaican Flavors Restaurant & Bakery. In addition to donating meals as a way to say “thank you” to frontline workers, GatewayJFK launched the effort as a way to help keep local restaurants open and keep their staff working.
“Before COVID-19 our neighborhood had 8,000 workers, but with the stay-at-home orders in effect we became concerned that our restaurants would have trouble staying in business until things got back to normal,” said Scott Grimm-Lyon, Executive Director of GatewayJFK “Having great places to go for lunch is key to attracting businesses to the area, and an important amenity for building community for both residents and workers.”
GatewayJFK got the idea after they saw similar efforts by the Sunnyside Shines BID and the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce. GatewayJFK is a public/private partnership that is dedicated to making a 215-acre commercial and industrial district along Rockaway Blvd. a clean and safe space to live in, work in, and invest in. “Donating meals seemed like a great way to make sure our local restaurants stayed in the black, and to offer gratitude to people putting their health at risk and working very hard through this crisis.” Grimm-Lyon said.
Over 400 of the meals went to workers at Jamaica Hospital, covering lunch on their Wednesday April 30th day and Dinner for their Friday May 1st evening shift. In addition to hospital workers, GatewayJFK made a special effort to say thank you and donate a meal to frontline workers who have not taken center stage during this crisis. Superintendent John Addeo of the DSNY Queens 13 garage said “Our workers signed up to help the city, and we’re proud to serve so thanks are not necessary, but it’s nice to be seen and appreciated.” Lt. John Ryan of the Port Authority Police Department also said his staff was happy to be included on the list of frontline workers, and John Hein of the MTA JFK Bus Depot thanked the organization for remembering and recognizing them.
In addition to sending meals to frontline workers, GatewayJFK has provided direct outreach to over 350 businesses in the district and offered assistance in navigating government grant and assistance programs related to COVID-19. GatewayJFK is committed to connecting our businesses to resources from all levels of government. If you woudl like assitance, or have any questions, please email our executive Director Scott Grimm-Lyon at scott@gatewayjfk.org.
