Trump Campaign Anonymously Donates Meals to Hospitals Across U.S Amid Coronavirus
Trump campaign has been contacting local restaurants to make large orders
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The Trump campaign stepped up efforts in boosting morale amid the deadly coronavirus pandemic by donating meals across the country to feed heroic first responders, doctors, and nurses on the front lines.
The Trump campaign has been contacting local restaurants to order large amounts of food to be delivered to hospitals in New York, Washington state, New Jersey, and Michigan.
But the campaign was placing the orders anonymously until Fox News learned from sources about the effort.
According to one source, the campaign was looking to not only express gratitude to hospital staff treating patients with coronavirus but also to support local restaurants who are suffering financial strain.
“They’re doing it as a donor who cares,” one source told Fox News.
“So nothing politically is tied to it. ... We’re just trying to, you know, show a thank you.”
“They’re trying to send things that are like, local restaurants that may need support [and] cool restaurant icons of the area that may need the business,” one source added.
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The campaign has already spent tens of thousands of dollars as they move to expand the efforts in the coming days and weeks, according to one source.
Additionally, an anonymous individual placed a large order at Giovanni’s Italian Deli in Secaucus, N.J., so it could be delivered to Hudson Regional Hospital.
“They only told us their first name,” an employee of Giovanni’s revealed.
“They called us, and they had us donate meals for the nurses and doctors — an assortment of things, 40 platters of pasta, salads, sandwiches.”
The employee added:
“We’re happy to do it. Trust me.”
Sources also confirmed the campaign also ordered from the following:
- Nick’s Grill in Kirkland, Wash.;
- Chit Chat Diner in Morristown,
- N.J.; Turning Point of Long Branch
- N.J.; and Antonio’s Trattoria in the Bronx, N.Y., and others.
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The manager of Antonio’s Trattoria said a man called the restaurant Monday to have “100 individual orders” delivered to Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx.
“It was 20 penne vodkas, 20 pastas with tomato sauce, 30 chicken parmesans, and 30 house salads with grilled chicken,” the manager said.
“He only gave his first name and said he wanted to remain anonymous.”
Upon learning it was a member of the Trump campaign supporting their business, the manager said:
“That’s awesome. That’s great. That’s really great, thank you.”
And an Instagram post from the Chit Chat Diner said:
"An anonymous donation providing lunch to some hardworking staff at Hackensack Hospital this afternoon. We are so grateful. #njstrong #prayersforeveryone#wewillgetthroughthis #letsallbewell#stayhome #stayhealthy"
Last month, President Donald Trump donated his entire quarterly salary - $100,000 - to help combat the deadly coronavirus by directing funds to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
