Many people who are out of work right now worry about where their next meal is coming from. The hospitality industry is one of the hardest hit from pandemic closures. So some businesses are stepping up to help those hospitality workers get a quality meal for free.
The kitchen at Liberty Food and Wine Exchange in Reno has been busy for the last 3 days making 300 chicken meals. "We made roasted chicken with green rice in a tomatilla sauce," said Liberty Catering Chef Paul Ferguson. They also made 30 roasted brussels sprout meals for vegetarians.
Those who received the food on Monday, are not the typical customer. "We were talking about different funds we saw going out there. We all kind of agree that we hadn't done anything for hospitality industry. Those people who are most affected by this.," said Liberty owner Mark Estee.
Liberty is teaming with the food vendors and restaurants that are part of Hospitality Industry Partnerships to give out free meals to those in the hospitality industry who have been laid off due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"For the meals you're looking at about about a pound of chicken, pound and a half of rice, and a nice sauce. You can take this home and feed two to three people or you can make it last for just yourself for 3 days," said Estee.
Food recipients are required to provide proof of work in the industry to get meals. That can include things like a paycheck stub.
"Driving down here and looking at all the casinos that are dark. I was thinking of all the casino workers that are at home and out of work. It's just wonderful that all the restaurant people are banding together and taking care of each other," said out-of-work chef Lou Laverty.
He is one of 20 people who showed up for HIP's first ever meal giveaway on Monday. For him, the effort put into creating the food, makes all the difference in the world. "You know its a meal for a husband, a wife and 2 kids. So it's plenty of food. It's wonderful," said Laverty.
HIP is hoping more people will come to future meal giveaways. The organization plans to give out meals on Mondays,Wednesdays and Fridays from 4 pm to 7 pm.
