To address the issue of food accessibility during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Lovely A. Warren announced last month that the City of Rochester is partnering with 20 local restaurants to provide meals for senior residents.
Beginning Aug. 10, meals began to be delivered to individuals residing within city limits who are 60 years of age or older and are unable to travel to access food as a result of the current health crisis.
According to Warren, the city’s Department of Neighborhood and Business Development awarded each establishment with a restaurant grant of up to $15,000 to prepare free meals for delivery to the area’s seniors for up to three months. These grants will help small, local restaurants maintain a presence in city neighborhoods while also supporting residents who are vulnerable to the dangers of social isolation, the mayor said.
To help facilitate the enrollment and delivery process, the city is working with Goodwill of the Finger Lakes through its 211/LIFE LINE mission program. The lifeline provides guidance in finding such resources as food, clothing and shelter. Individuals interested in receiving meals can call 211 (or text 898 to 211) to order a meal, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Seniors can order up to three meals a week and place one month’s worth of orders per call. However, an advanced notice of seven days is required for all meal orders.
The restaurants preparing meals are:
• Ludwig’s Center Stage Café, 25 Gibbs St.
• Munchie’s ROC City Empanadas, 154 N. Clinton Ave.
• Allegiant Restaurant, 801 S. Plymouth Ave.
• The Acorn Exchange, 75 S. Clinton Ave.
• India House Restaurant, 998 S. Clinton Ave.
• Lorraine’s Food Factory, 777 Culver Road
• Neno’s Gourmet Mexican Street Food, 642 Monroe Ave.
• Marty’s On Park, 703 Park Ave.
• Caribbean Heritage Restaurant, 719 S. Plymouth Ave.
• D&L Tropical Sensations, 1005 Genesee St.
• ‘Unkl Moe’s BBQ and Catering, 493 West Ave.
• Arnett Café, 332 Arnett Blvd.
• Borinquen Bakery and Restaurant, 1195 N. Clinton Ave.
• El Pilon Criollo, 973 N. Clinton Ave.
• Tricia’s Kitchen, 1014 Hudson Ave.
• Nin’s Restaurant, 1049 Hudson Ave.
• Taste of Bahamas, 4705 Lake Ave.
• Kandis Food and Drink, 701 Lake Ave.
• El Sazón Restaurant, 144 Lyell Ave.
• El Divino Restaurant, 1149 Lyell Ave.
In addition to a city grant, each restaurant was provided funding through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
