Local businesses give back to first responders, healthcare workers fighting COVID-19

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Local businesses are joining together to make sure those battling the coronavirus are getting the food they need to keep on fighting.

House of Leaf and Bean is working to give back to the community by serving up something fresh in the kitchen.

Its making organic spaghetti and vegan meatballs for first responders and healthcare workers.

"For those workers, they all have no choice going to work so we said okay maybe we should do something like a complimentary lunch for them for a week," Wen Raiti, the owner of House of Leaf and Bean said.

Raiti told me since restaurants were forced to close their doors, their business has opened up its drive-through.

First responders and healthcare workers just need to show their ID during lunchtime to pick up their free food.

And they’re not the only one, local businesses everywhere are stepping up to help first responders and healthcare workers.

Fadi Chakour is an attorney that started an initiative called Feed our Healthcare Heroes.

Together local law firms and restaurants are partnering together to pay for the meals and deliver them to healthcare workers.

“They’re being asked to work longer hours and longer shifts, more patients, the last thing they want to worry about is meals and where the meals come from,” Chakour said.

On Tuesday they delivered food from Clara’s Tidbits to St. Vincent Riverside Hospital.

Raiti said making food is a small way her business can show their appreciation

She said everyone has to chip in and help in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

"We are all in it together. Nobody alone can fight this invisible enemy," Raiti said.

House of Leaf and Bean will be offering free lunch to first responders and healthcare workers through Friday.

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