March 22, 2020
Former Rep. Steve Israel, Ben’s Deli and United Way of Long Island have announced a partnership to provide food to medical professionals in hospitals called “Chicken Soup for Health Care Responders”.
The idea occurred to Israel during his self quarantine, over a take out meal from Ben’s Deli. A family member, who is a doctor, told him that some hospital staff responding to the coronavirus were experiencing food shortages. Israel contacted Ben’s Deli owner Ronnie Dragoon and United Way of Long Island President and CEO Theresa Regnante, and they collaborated on “Chicken Soup for Health Care Responders”.
Here’s how it will work:
United Way has set up a unique CHICKEN SOUP FOR HEALTH CARE RESPONDERS link on their website, www.unitedwayli.org/givechickensoup. Donors can contribute any amount.
The funds will be used to pay for cold cut sandwiches, hot dogs, knishes and soups. The food will be packaged to avoid contamination. Ben’s will discount the food and waive its delivery fee.
Ben’s will deliver the food to hospitals in Nassau and Suffolk.
Rep. Israel said: “We know that there are critical shortages of personal protective equipment for medical professionals. Making sure they have food during their long shifts is easy to solve and we can do it right away. Chicken Soup for Health Care Responders will help achieve that goal. I’m so grateful to Ben’s Deli and United Way for being so responsive.”
Ronnie Dragoon said: “In these troubling times, helping to keep our health care first responders nourished is something we can do now. Todd Silverstein, Ben’s Vice President, will coordinate all deliveries to Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Todd can be reached at 516.621.3340 or on his cell phone, 516.769.7561.”
Theresa Regnante said: “The health care community is pivotal in this crisis and United Way of Long Island is honored to support former Congressman Israel’s plan to help the workforce. This partnership is true to our mission, as it focuses on the health and welfare of Long Islanders.”
For further information, go to www.unitedwayli.org/givechickensoup.
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