STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island restaurants have been struggling since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic brought a slew of harsh restrictions on the food industry, but the establishments have continued to give back to their fellow Islanders and those in need.
Alexis Geraci-Delorenzo, owner of the pizzeria, Stefano’s of Staten Island in Rossville, donated 100 meals to Meals on Wheels last month during the holiday season, because she said she was heartbroken to see families, especially those with young children, in need of food.
“We were dropping [the food] off [at Meals on Wheels]. I’m a mom. My son is going to be 1-years old in a month from today; it just broke my heart [to see] people there with their kids. It completely destroyed me. I love kids,” she told the Advance/SILive.com.
Seeing those families and children, she knew she had to do something as a business owner — even as many are struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic.
“Us as business owners, we don’t have indoor dining. We’re basically surviving on pick-up and delivery. Every week, they’re coming around telling somebody, ‘Take your tent down,’ ‘You’re getting a fine,’ ...So we’re dealing with a lot but there’s people who still aren’t working and there’s people who don’t have an income.”
Restaurants in Staten Island have been particularly struggling since indoor dining was banned in the five New York City boroughs through an order issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Dec. 11. While an injunction by a Supreme Court justice has allowed all New York restaurants outside the five boroughs to allow indoor patrons, a different mechanism has restricted indoor dining in New York City.
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A TEAM EFFORT
Geraci-Delorenzo teamed up with Richie Holmes, the owner of Juicy Lucy BBQ (which is temporarily Juicy Lucia through the winter); Joe Salimeni, owner of J’s on the Bay, and Joe O’Toole, owner of Joyce’s Tavern, to give back to those in need.
Each restaurant will run a special each week and take 10% of each sold item and give it back to their own restaurants into a fund. With the money raised from the 10% of each sold item, the restaurants will make food and donate it to different shelters and non-profits each week, like Meals on Wheels, Geraci-Delorenzo explained.
“Going forward from this point, we’re going to set an item or a special. ... Without having to donate extra money, all you have to do is just order — by ordering you’re helping us feed somebody who’s in need,” she added.
The restaurant owners are working with the community to connect with shelters and food banks to donate food.
“It’s not even about a meal anymore. If we run into people who need help, I know I’ll extend my hand, I know Richie has a big heart, both Joe’s [Salimeni and O’Toole] have big hearts. We’re the ones who are suffering and looking to help,” Geraci-Delorenzo said.
She added that the restaurant owners are “trying to show, ‘We’re going to get through this, we’re going to do it together. You’re not the only one.’”
The restaurants will make the announcement of their specials on Facebook food groups, including the Advance’s own Where Staten Island Eats & Drinks group, as well as the Staten Island Food group. Geraci-Delorenzo said the announcements are expected to be made this week.
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