West Hartford’s Luna Pizza, in collaboration with Hartford Baking Company, is looking for donations to assist in feeding healthcare workers.

Submitted by Nicholas Martin

Luna Pizza has partnered with Hartford Hospital to launch a campaign in relief and aid efforts surrounding the communal effects of the coronavirus.

The “Feed our Healthcare Providers” fundraiser will see donations from a crowd-funding campaign via the GoFundMe platform, with a $15 donation providing a fresh loaf of bread from Hartford Baking Company, and a ready-made meal from Luna Pizza. 

Through collaborative efforts with social workers, the campaign is geared towards healthcare officials, as well as those in need of food throughout this challenging period.

The campaign encourages donors to remember the essential role of healthcare providers who are at biggest risk during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

This comes as part of a global collective effort championed by athletes and celebrities alike to offer support amidst the novel coronavirus.

Owner of Luna Pizza, Alex MacDonald, said it took some introspection to inspire the company’s philanthropic efforts. 

“I’ve been lucky enough to have a wife who is a stay at home mom for three small children especially in a time like this, and it leads me to think that there are families that aren’t as privileged as some. I feel it’s a personal responsibility to share or even take the burden off others, and share whatever I can with who I can,” MacDonald said. 

Donation deliveries will be done by drivers contracted by the company, and will be dropped off at designated locations, with the first scheduled for Wednesday March 25 at Hartford Hospital.

Hartford Baking Company has also joined the cause through bread and baked good donations, a gesture that the campaign organizers hope more restaurants will follow. 

In an effort to prioritize safety, the deliveries will be done by food industry professionals rather than external volunteers. 

Owner of Hartford Baking Company Scott Kluger says the company saw it as a necessity to join the cause. 

“Drive through testing is the most important thing we can do right now. We are honored to support the employees of Hartford Hospital in their nonstop battle to contain the coronavirus.”

Since Gov. Ned Lamont declared a state of emergency last week, local restaurants have had to modify their operations to enhance take-out and delivery options to combat the spread of COVID-19. 

Organizers said that in the event the donation of food becomes impossible due to new guidelines, 100% of the proceeds raised will be donated to the Hartford Hospital Emergency Room.

More information about the GoFundMe campaign can be found here and on the Facebook event page.

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