Two local pizzerias, Village Pizza in Cornwall-on-Hudson, and Prima Pizza in Cornwall, are pitching in to provide food for those working on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The idea came to Gary Fiorello, owner of Village Pizza, when customers asked if he would be able to deliver food to Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital if they made a donation.
Fiorello said he couldn’t just show up to the hospital with food, but got in touch with the hospital’s food coordinator and asked if donations would be accepted.
“Absolutely,” was the reply. An announcement was posted on Facebook on April 5 and in two days Village Pizza raised $2000. That number continued to climb as patrons added an additional $1000 in donations. Stretching the money as far as possible, Fiorello said he’s able to provide meals for four shifts — one last Friday and another this week.
“I never thought it would take off this much, but people are really willing to help as long as I’m willing to help also,” said Fiorello.
The first delivery included multiple pizzas, penne alla vodka, chicken parmesan, wraps, and desserts — enough to feed 250 to 300 people. Drop-off was made at 4 p.m. to provide food for the shift getting off work and the second shift just arriving.
“It took me by surprise,” Fiorello said. “I never thought it would be this much. We have a great community. Even the food coordinator said he was surprised by how much money we raised in a short period of time.”
Patrons have called in credit card numbers to make donations, while others are dropping off cash or checks. Some have offered to help with the delivery of food.
Fiorello said he’s happy to help the hospital staff. His father was sick a few weeks ago and he saw first hand how hard the doctors and nurses work.
On April 11, Anthony Scalise, owner of Prima Pizza, made a Facebook post of his own, announcing his restaurant would match any customer donation of a large cheese pizza to one of Cornwall’s emergency services (police, fire, ambulance corps) or the hospital.
“I started the program because I wanted to help the Cornwall community, especially the first responders,” Scalise said. “We are all in this together and I want to be able to at least help with something that I have control over. This program also gives a chance for people who would like to help but are not sure how to.”
To make a donation, call Village Pizza at 534-3600 or Prima Pizza at 534-7003.
