Several restaurants have joined with the organizer of the annual Bergen County St. Patrick’s Day Parade to send hot meals to hospital workers

The Council of Irish Associations of Greater Bergen County since late last month has been collecting money to buy meals prepared by local restaurants, which are then sent to Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck and Englewood hospital in Englewood.

“They were overrun with sandwiches and wraps and different things, but not necessarily hot food. So, there was a real need to bring hot meals for people working on these COVID-19 floors,” said Tommy O’Reilly, the president of the Council of Irish Associations.

O’Reilly, also the owner of the Bergenfield restaurant Tommy Fox's Public House, said every $250 raised pays for at least 50 hot meals prepared by his restaurant and other participants, including Empanada Mania and Rony’s Rockin’ Grill, both in Bergenfield, Shortrounds Deli & Catering in Emerson, Biddy O'Malley's Irish Bistro and Bar in Northvale and Gerry’s Place in Norwood.

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O’Reilly said the effort has raised between $4,500 and $5,000.

“Some of the people from the hospital have reached out and said 'thank you.' It feels good to be able to help in this time when everybody feels so helpless,” O’Reilly said.

Donations can be made by visiting bergencountyirish.org.

Ricardo Kaulessar is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com Twitter: @ricardokaul