Let’s get real here — healthcare professionals are working doubly hard these days to save lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And needless to say, it is extremely stressful work — grueling schedules, inadequate protective equipment, and sometimes not even enough food to help them power through the long shifts {especially at night}. In response, however, local businesses have stepped up to help lighten their burdens. Below, Hoboken Girl has rounded up a list of local businesses that either offer healthcare workers products and services at a discount or free of charge, or engage in continuing initiatives to support first responders. Read on to find out where and how to show your support.
Frankie & Ava {208 Washington Street, Hoboken}
{Photo credit: @frankieandavas}
For the past few weeks, Hoboken sandwich shop Frankie & Ava’s has been offering free sandwiches to medical workers as well as those suffering from financial losses from the COVID-19 lockdown. In the upcoming weeks, the restaurant will also soon expand the effort and start to provide free lunch and dinner to first responders, so stay tuned!
Class A Autobody {40 Railroad Avenue, Hackensack + 265 Huyler Street South Hackensack}
Class A Autobody, an automobile repair shop owned by George Mastrodimos, a longtime Hoboken resident, is now offering frontline workers 50% off the insurance deductible fees at the end of repairs, as well as free pick-up and delivery for drivable vehicles. The discount is effective through July 31st and is available at both of the store’s Hackensack locations.
JC Stoops Photo Project
Jersey City photographer Chris Woodard has started the JC Stoops Photo Project to support those in need during COVID-19. Here is how it works — in exchange for a donation {$30+ suggested}, he will take a photo of the donors and their families outside their front door or through a window from an appropriate social distance. Musicians, healthcare professionals, and other first responders can have their photos taken for free. The donations and photo requests can be made here.
See More: Available Resources for Those in Need During COVID-19
Ani Ramen House {218 Newark Avenue, Jersey City}
The owners of the Ani Ramen House have launched two new short-term non-profit pop-up shops — Rock City Pizza Co. and Bang Bang Chicken in the JC location to support local first responders. Deep-dish pizza and Thai-style rotisserie chicken are available for take-out and delivery at the Jersey City store. The food is offered at lower-than-normal price points, and customers are encouraged to donate $6 or $8 when they place their orders to buy meals for local first responders and those in need. As a proof-of-concept run, even the day before its official opening on April 24th, the restaurant already donated 100 pizzas to Jersey City healthcare workers. And on the first day of operation, it raised enough money to donate 271 pies. Earlier in April, Ani Ramen also gave out a hundred $100 gift cards to local first responders that can be redeemed when the ramen house re-opens.
O’Bagel {600 Washington Street, Hoboken}
The Hoboken bagel and sandwich shop O’Bagel has been donating thousands of freshly-baked bagels to healthcare workers and other first responders in Hoboken and Jersey City. Every dozen bagels purchased will be matched and donated to local hospitals each Tuesday. To support this cause, go to the website and choose “Donation Dozen.”
Curry Up Now {91 Washington Street, Hoboken}
Hoboken’s fast-casual Indian food restaurant has recently started a donation to help local front line workers and those who are impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Donations can be made on the website. Each meal donation is $12 and customers can also choose the number of meals to donate. The restaurant will match every donation dollar-for-dollar and deliver the meals directly to the heroes on the front line at local hospitals, as well as those whose lives and jobs have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
Tony Boloney’s {263 1st Street Hoboken + 363 Grove Street Jersey City}
{Photo credit: @tonyboloneys}
Since late March, pizza shop Tony Boloney’s has launched a series of kits and cooking classes, the proceeds of which are used to support staff and local first responders. For the sale of each kit, the restaurant donates one 18-inch cheese pizza to feed nurses, doctors, cops, EMT workers, and other first responders in the local community. A new kit is launched every week, and the selection so far now includes pizza, mozzarella, calzone, and gnocchi. The kits can be ordered at any time. And the cooking tutorials are available on YouTube {link on the website}, or can be live-streamed every Sunday afternoon for the kit launched that week.
Cafe Esme {485 Marin Boulevard, Jersey City}
Jersey City restaurant Cafe Esme has been donating fresh meals to medical workers at Jersey City Medical Center. Each meal consists of a main dish, a dessert, and a drink, the same as the meal plans the restaurant currently offers to customers, and sometimes sandwiches and snacks are also donated. As of late April, over 500 meals have been delivered. Interested customers can call 201-533-4440 to arrange donations. “We are a very small cafe that just opened in October 2019 and we try everything possible to be here for our community and for the people that need us…No amount is too small. Larger donations are taken and delivered by themselves, and small amounts are added to other bulk deliveries,” owner Daniela told Hoboken Girl.
Dharma Home Suites {Multiple Locations}
The short-term-stay rental company Dharma Home Suites is now offering special rates and an additional free week of lodging to healthcare workers in Hoboken and Jersey City. It is also part of the Airbnb open home program that offers short-term housing solutions to people in financial distress. Those in need can call 201-918-2684 or live chat with a customer service representative to make reservations.
Read More: A List of Non-Food Businesses That Are Reopening in Hoboken + Jersey City
Koro Koro Rice Ball Cafe {538 Jersey Avenue, Jersey City}
Despite being closed for business, the rice ball cafe Koro Koro is continuing with its effort in supporting local healthcare workers. It is a major participant for The Lunch Bunch, a program that shows appreciation for healthcare workers through supporting local, family-owned businesses. With very generous discounts from Koro Koro, the program has been donating three caterings of food a week of 90 rice balls and 45 soups, salads, and snacks to the Jersey City Medical Center and will continue for as long as it is feasible. Neighbors who want to chip in can email thelunchbunchjc@gmail.com.
Green Pear Cafe {93 Grand Street, Hoboken +93 Franklin Street, Jersey City}
{Photo credit: @greenpearheights}
The European-style restaurant with locations in both Hoboken and Jersey City have started a fundraising campaign. The proceeds will be used to provide fresh meals to local policemen. More than 400 meals have been donated in the first three weeks of the program. To contribute, visit this site.
Front Line Appreciation Group {FLAG} of Hoboken and Jersey City
FLAG is not a business per se, but it is a centralized platform that coordinates efforts in the local community to support healthcare professionals and other first responders. Essentially, they serve as the link between first responders and local businesses who are willing and able to help. Group organizers are in constant talks with hospitals so that meal deliveries can be arranged to best accommodate their needs as well as shift schedules. On the other hand, the group also works with local restaurants to arrange the logistics of meal preparation and delivery. So far, it has donated several thousand meals to Jersey City and Hoboken Hospitals through more than a dozen local food businesses. Non-food businesses or individual residents can also donate money and goods, or offer services through this platform. To contribute, visit the webpage here.
Casey2Cook {Online}
Local chef Casey of Casey2Cooki is working hard to whip up delicious + fun meals to donate to first responders and healthcare workers {think brownies + more}. Learn more about her efforts on Instagram @casey2cook.
Know of a local organization that is offering deals for healthcare workers? Let us know in the comments!
Did you know: We started a podcast about all things news and lifestyle in Hoboken + Jersey City! Listen to the latest episode of Tea on the Hudson here and subscribe.
