NAPLES, Fla. — A Naples bistro and church are teaming up to feed hundreds of hospitality workers impacted by the pandemic in Southwest Florida.
The effort formed during the coronavirus lockdowns, just weeks after Founder's Bistro opened their new restaurant in Naples.
Founder's co-owner and chef Don Splain is the pastor at Table of Grace Church.
He says due to the lock down's impact on service workers, the bistro and church decided to form a fund called Hope for Hospitality.
It's mission is to serve those who often serve others with nourishing meals.
"I want to make sure that the people were giving food to feel loved. That they’re not an afterthought or a second thought but their a primary thought. It’s important to me to make sure that every donated dollar goes as far as possible with as much love as possible," said Splain.
First Horizon Bank generously donated $5,000 to the Hope for Hospitality fund.
It went to feeding busy healthcare workers at two NCH emergency rooms for an entire month. The total count came to around 1,000 meals delivered.
"They met you at the door every day with smiling eyes because their faces are covered so the only thing you can see is there smiling eyes," said Splain.
In a month, Founder's Bistro has already served more than 1,600 meals with the help of community donations.
They hope to continue helping hospitality workers, whether it's those overworked or without work during the pandemic.
Any hospitality worker in need of meal assistance can sign up for help.
People can seek help and donate on the Founder's Bistro website by clicking here.
