FAIRFAX, VA — As the coronavirus outbreak puts a strain on front-line workers and small businesses, a Northern Virginia business wants to address both at the same time in Northern Virginia. Craftsman Auto launched its Feed a Hero initiative to deliver 100 meals a day to healthcare facilities, fire stations, police stations, and a shelter serving homeless families and victims of domestic violence.

Feed a Hero pays local restaurants to provide the meals and coordinates delivery to front-line workers. Craftsman Auto owner Matt Curry told Patch he recruited friends who own restaurants to have their employees cook the meals. These restaurants — Amphora Catering, 29 Diner, The Vienna Inn, The Harbour Grille, Chantel's Bakery and Ciao Osteria — have provided 1,500 meals since the effort started on March 22. The effort started when Dr. Franke Mark at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital discussed what the hospital needed with Curry. While Curry couldn't help with personal protective equipment, delivering meals to workers was an option. He started by sending 20 meals to Inova Fair Oaks and 20 to the Peoria, Illinois hospital where his sister works as an emergency nurse. Curry then decided to grow the operation to 100 meals delivered each day.

"The concept is feed a hero, keep a business open," Curry said. Feed a Hero is possible through community donations, which go toward the cost of preparing the meals at restaurants. Its GoFundMe and Facebook fundraising pages have generated over $15,000, and Curry has pitched in extra money to cover the costs. With enough community support, Feed a Hero can continue providing 100 daily meals for at least 30 days.



Get more news related to the new coronavirus in Virginia by signing up for free news alerts and a newsletter in your Patch town. Curry coordinates with hospitals and other recipients to determine where meals go each day. On Monday, April 6, Feed a Hero provided 40 meals to Inova Fair Oaks, 35 to Inova Alexandria and 25 to Inova Schar Cancer Institute. The Tuesday delivery will include 50 to Inova Fairfax and remainder to other recipients. For hospital deliveries, Feed a Hero notifies their contact about a delivery and leaves the meals outside due to visitor restrictions.

Aside from healthcare facilities, another recipient is Shelter House, which serves the homeless and victims of domestic violence. At least four Fairfax County fire stations have also received meals.

Depending on donations and restaurant participation, Feed the Hero can provide more meals. In fact, Curry would be on board with 1,000 meals delivered per day.

