Providing Hospitality to UH Frontline Caregivers
Local restaurant Truman’s 216 and associated nonprofit H.E.L.P., wanted to show gratitude and provide meals to first responders and frontline caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Truman’s 216 and H.E.L.P teamed up with and Dante Dining Group to provide food to the community, averaging 500 meals a week. Dante Dining Group owner Dante Boccuzzi has been hosting free family dinners for the local community every Sunday at Dante’s Restaurant in Tremont and provided support with food, containers, and community donations.
Over the past two months, Truman’s 216 and H.E.L.P., along with Dante Dining Group, have generously donated meals to UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and UH Seidman Cancer Center, as well as to several local police departments, fire stations, and alternative housing facilities.
"At Truman’s 216, 100% of proceeds go to help local people in need,” said Lauren Pepple, Finance Director for H.E.L.P. and Truman’s 216. “When everything with COVID-19 happened, this happened really organically. We had food left over and we knew we had to give it to people - and that evolved into the meal program."
The trio started reaching out to those closest to them to see how their newly formed meal program could help the community, aiming to reach those who were most in need of assistance. University Hospitals was an obvious choice for Lauren, as her uncle recently received treatment at UH Seidman Cancer Center. “I love and adore everyone who works [at UH Seidman] and it felt good to help the people helping him.”
Although Ohio is beginning to reopen, and Truman’s 216 will reopen on May 22, the restaurant, along with H.E.L.P., is committed to continuing to provide meals to those in need. Truman’s 216 Meal Program will continue on Wednesdays and Fridays in the local community.
University Hospitals is grateful to all individuals and organizations willing to help our caregivers, patients and community during the COVID-19 crisis. Community response and caregiver support funds have been established to support the extensive patient care, medical supplies, research and education needs.