Published on April 29, 2020
PEMBROKE, MA: In only a month, Pembroke resident Beth Mills has gotten a great response to her Southeast Massachusetts FLAG chapter (Front Line Appreciation Group), whose mission is to raise funds and hire restaurants to deliver meals to the front line workers at local hospitals.
She launched the chapter a month ago after hearing about the two women in New Jersey who started the project, and since then, chapters have sprung up all over the United States. “This fills a couple of very important 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.”
In the first month, the chapter has earned more than $9,500. Restaurants have stepped up to assist, she said, noting that participating restaurants include Jersey Mikes of Hanover, The Juice Station, and Christina’s of Pembroke, A3 Pizza/ Solstice of Kingston, Corner Café of Marshfield, Chestnut Street Grille of Duxbury and Konditor Meister Bakery of Braintree. Healthcare facilities served by these efforts include, South Shore Health, Beth Israel Deaconess in Plymouth and Braintree Rehab.
Beth 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 or by mailing checks made out to FLAG of SEMA c/o Cycle Lodge 808 Washington St, Pembroke MA 02359.
“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. We are so happy to be able to help out the local restaurants, paying out $8400 so far, as well as providing meals for the Angels on the front lines.”
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.”