PEMBROKE, MA : Beth Mills has always wanted to help people. And when she had some free time on her hands, she jumped in to help feed the front line workers at local hospitals.

That is what led her to starting a Southeast Massachusetts chapter of FLAG (Front Line Appreciation Group), which raises funds to pay restaurants to provide meals to area healthcare facilities.

Beth and her husband Jimmy own Cycle Lodge in Pembroke. They run their business primarily by appointment, and Beth’s area of expertise within Cycle Lodge is fitting cyclist to their bicycles. With the social distancing and stay in place orders, she said that fittings are on hold until the virus subsides.

“I heard about two women in New Jersey who started this project, and chapters began springing up all over the country.  There wasn’t one in our region and I thought it would be a great thing to do to fill a couple of needs,” she said, adding, “The restaurants are all reduced to takeout right now, and we were looking for a way to support the restaurants as well as healthcare workers and it seemed like the perfect fit.”

She has launched a Facebook page which can be accessed by clicking https://www.facebook.com/FLAG-Front-Line-Appreciation-Group-of-Southeast-Massachusetts-103295631337091/?modal=admin_todo_tour  . There is also an option to contribute via Paypal, paypal.me/flagsema or by Venmo at Venmo.com/FLAGSEMA

She is looking for restaurants who want to be part of the effort as well as more donations to fund the meals.  On Monday, she said, she had worked with Jersey Mike’s of Hanover to deliver 200 submarine sandwiches to South Shore Healthcare (South Shore Hospital), as well as Christina’s in Pembroke to deliver dinners Wednesday night.  She is speaking with Beth Israel Deaconess in Plymouth (formerly known as Jordan Hospital) today.  Solstice in Kingston and Plymouth Provisions in Plymouth are ready to go to help feed the frontlines in Plymouth.  “The restaurants have been amazing so far,” she said. “We are trying to keep the costs to $6 per meal. They are giving us very good pricing. Everyone wants to help.”

Anyone interested can help in the effort by contributing to help fund the costs of the food, and any restaurant owners who want to be part of the program would be very welcome.  Restaurant owners can reach her at [email protected].

“We want to thank the front line workers and support their efforts with as many meals as possible” she said, “and we also want to do our part to help the restaurants. We think we have a good situation where everyone wins, so we urge people to help us in this effort.”