Healthcare workers and first responders battling COVID-19 in Atlantic and Cape May Counties can claim a free meal at numerous restaurants thanks to the non-profit organization who also distributed Easter baskets to children of participating families earlier this week
In an effort to give back to local workers and keep area restaurants in business during the stressful battle against COVID-19, local non-profit organization Earth Angels for Dementia has created a free meal program.
Gratitude to Go provides meals to home health aids, hospital workers, doctors, nurses, EMT’s police and more through restaurants including Cousin Mario’s, Enlightened Cafe, Yogi’s Riverview at Sugarhill Inn, CJ’s, and more.
To claim a free meal at any of the participating restaurants, workers need to mention “Gratitude to Go” when ordering and show ID at pickup. Multiple restaurants are offering additional menu discounts for qualifying workers.
The program provides participating restaurants with a $5 payment per meal, the restaurants in turn provide those meals at no cost to all healthcare workers and first responders. Sponsors of the program include Angelic Health, the Mays Landing Merchants Association, Touching Hearts at Home, Mays Landing – Egg Harbor Township Rotary, Visiting Angels and Shore Clean Express Auto Care Center. While the program assists those on the front lines, it also provides a boost to the local businesses to ensure operations continue during the pandemic.
On Monday, Governor Phil Murphy showcased the program during his daily COVID-19 press briefing and on his official Facebook page. This feature led to a strong increase in views and donations, an increase Earth Angels for Dementia co-founder Cheryl Caliri hopes to continue to see.
“When COVID-19 hit our area, I saw the severe need to keep our restaurants going and to give back to our workers on the front lines,” said Caliri. “Earth Angels supports home healthcare workers as part of our mission, but this pandemic is more than the healthcare worker. With this program we are able to give the local economy a little boost with both finances and publicity while simultaneously honoring our workers.”
In addition to the free meals, 300 Easter baskets were delivered by Earth Angels to children of healthcare workers and first responders earlier this week. Knowing that parents in these industries just don’t have time to “get it all done”, Caliri thought it would be a great addition to the program. Earth Angels was able to purchase the baskets from a distributor, Boardwalk Peanuts of Egg Harbor Township, that had overstock from a shipment meant for now shuttered casinos. This purchase allowed for Boardwalk Peanuts to keep employees working, something very important to the program.
Earth Angels for Dementia started in 2018 with Caliri’s daughter, Hiliary Van Horn. The organization focuses on support for caregivers and hosts grief and caregiver support groups, fundraisers and training for the industry.
Through the years, Earth Angels for Dementia has helped hundreds of family caregivers, home health aids, nurses and medical professionals with the physical and mental support they need. In the coming weeks, Caliri and Van Horn look to expand Gratitude to Go to help healthcare workers and first responders across the state.
For more information visit earthangelsfordementia.org/gratitude-to-go
