In the worst of times, the best in people rises to the challenge of helping others. As business owners, Diana and Robert McIntosh of Morris understand all too well how important it is to “keep things going” during these tough COVID-19 times. Diana said, “It was getting harder, so I was looking for something else. Then I heard Nicole Straight on local radio, talking about Food for the Front Lines, a mission that allows the Connecticut community to raise money for local restaurants to deliver meals to first responders, and was convinced this was the direction to take.”
Begun by Nicole Straight, former Fairfield County Site Director for Food Rescue US, “Food For The Front Lines” in Fairfield County is closing in on their GoFundMe goal of $25,000 to feed Connecticut’s EMS workers, first responders, ER & ICU staff, and those on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis. These are the people, some volunteers, who are working at personal risk to keep their community well and safe. The other benefit of the program is to offer support for local Connecticut restaurants that are struggling.
Robert McIntosh fronted the first set of meals that were given to Litchfield Volunteer Ambulance. Diana McIntosh said, “I am a stay-at-home mom of three girls so I had more time to pursue this. My motivation was that my husband and I make sure our kids know that through a lot of hard work, we are very fortunate in our lives and that we are always thankful and we always give back.”
The whole family is helping since the daughters are home from school. They help their mother track places and people that would benefit from food being delivered (medical workers, first responders, etc.) then find a nearby restaurant willing to deliver the food.
“My brother Paul Decarolis was an EMT and a firefighter for Watertown Fire Department for many years. He passed away three years ago, but he would have been the first one out there to help with the COVID-19 crisis. I am doing this with him in my heart. I miss him every day but this helps me keep his memory alive. I was so happy to bring food to the Watertown Fire Department recently, and I am sure he would be proud. We also delivered lunch to Litchfield Wood nurses in Torrington with food supplied by Berkshire Café in Torrington. Every day we are expanding our reach.”
To support this Connecticut effort to help and support those on the front lines of the COVID-19 virus, find Diana A. McIntosh on Facebook, or email her at [email protected]. You can also donate to the Go Fund Me page.
Written by Jo Ann Jaacks.
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