
To kick off the program, the Borough President, the United Federation of Teachers, Community Television, and the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce donated over $15,000 to feed hospital staff. The collaborative partnered with local businesses A&S Caterers & Luncheonette, A Taste of Honey Caterers, Aunt Butchies of Brooklyn, Beyar’s Market and The Stone House who have all stepped up to provide meals at $7 per meal.
Today, the following local pizzerias will be providing meals to hospital staffs at Staten Island University Hospital (both the North and South campuses) and Richmond University Medical Center: 80 pies from Campania Coal Fired Pizza, 20 pies from Ciro Pizza Café, 65 pies from DiLeo’s Pizzeria and 100 pies from Millie’s of Staten Island.
The program has been able to continue thus far as a result of generous partners and members of the community who have made donations for the meals. As of Monday morning, $38,965 has been donated to the initiative, with donations beginning at a $35 contribution to feed five healthcare workers. Borough President Oddo, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and UFT extend their gratitude to all those who have donated and those who have come forward as sponsors to ensure this program can continue.
The collaborative would like to thank the following corporate sponsors of the “Feeding Our Frontline” initiative: Former Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson, UFT President Mike Mulgrew, The Staten Island Yankees, Sunrise Office Services, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Plus, Miller's Launch/Miller's Tug & Barge, Former City Councilmember Sal Albanese, Ana Patricia Cosentino, C.B. Contracting Corp., Deputy Borough President Edward Burke, Former City Councilmember Fred Cerullo, Notre Dame Club of Staten Island - Bread of Life Food Drive, Richmond County Baseball Club, Rossana Pontecorvo, Joseph Simone, Anne Marie and Robert Rautenstrauch, Ashleigh Owens, Donald and Kathleen Helt, Jean Giobbie, M/M Frank Coccaro, Robert Ryan, and the Sisters of St. Dorothy.
Borough President Oddo, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and UFT also extend their gratitude to those who have used their respective platforms to promote the “Feeding Our Frontline” Initiative, including the Staten Island Advance for covering the program on multiple occasions, as well as those in the Staten Island Delegation and all community partners and constituents who have shared the donation link to help get the word out to the greater Staten Island universe.
“We are so grateful to everyone who has contributed to help us serve free meals for our nurses and frontline healthcare workers in order to show our appreciation for their daily strength and caring. As we fight each day to get them the supplies they need, the least we can do is continue to get them some food to eat. We appreciate A&S Caterers & Luncheonette, A Taste of Honey Caterers, Aunt Butchies of Brooklyn, Beyar’s Market and The Stone House, as well as Campania, Millie’s of Staten Island and DiLeo’s Pizza, for working with us to get to a price point that makes this program doable,” said Borough President Jim Oddo.
“You can always count on Staten Islanders to come together when you need them the most. It’s been wonderful to see so much generosity as both businesses and residents continue to contribute to this initiative. We send a big thank you to all of our essential workers who have been working tirelessly to take care of our community,” said Linda Baran, President & CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber thanks Borough President Oddo and our partners, we are honored to take part in an effort that supports our hospital workers while supporting our local businesses as well.”
“I want to thank everyone who has stepped up to support this initiative. Our frontline workers during the pandemic deserve all the support we can give them,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew.
Click here to make a donation or join the program as a sponsor.