The Trump campaign has been anonymously donating thousands of meals to hospitals to thank frontline staff during the coronavirus outbreak, according to Fox News.
Since last week, the president’s reelection campaign “has been calling local restaurants and ordering large amounts of food to be sent to hospitals across the country, including in the pandemic hot spots of New York, New Jersey, Washington state, and Michigan.” The campaign has been placing these orders anonymously, Fox News learned.
“They’re doing it as a donor who cares,” one source told Fox News. “So nothing politically is tied to it. … We’re just trying to, you know, show a thank you.”
Another source said, “They’re trying to send things that are like, local restaurants that may need support [and] cool restaurant icons of the area that may need the business.”
The source told Fox News that the campaign has spent tens of thousands of dollars and they plan to expand in the coming days and weeks.
Several establishments confirmed the orders were indeed placed anonymously. Giovanni’s Italian Deli in Secaucus, N.J., told the outlet that an anonymous individual placed an order for delivery to Hudson Regional Hospital. It included 40 platters of pasta, salads, and sandwiches.
“They only told us their first name,” an employee of Giovanni’s told Fox News on Thursday. “They called us, and they had us donate meals for the nurses and doctors — an assortment of things, 40 platters of pasta, salads, sandwiches.”
The employee added: “We’re happy to do it. Trust me.”
Fox news reports, orders were also placed with Nick’s Grill in Kirkland, Wash.; Chit Chat Diner in Morristown, N.J.; Turning Point of Long Branch, N.J.; and Antonio’s Trattoria in the Bronx, N.Y., among others.
The manager of Antonio’s Trattoria, said that a man called the restaurant Monday to have “100 individual orders” delivered to Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx.
“It was 20 penne vodkas, 20 pastas with tomato sauce, 30 chicken parmesans, and 30 house salads with grilled chicken,” the manager told Fox News. “He only gave his first name and said he wanted to remain anonymous.”
An Instagram post from the Chit Chat Diner said: “An anonymous donation providing lunch to some hard working staff at Hackensack Hospital this afternoon. We are so grateful. #njstrong #prayersforeveryone#wewillgetthroughthis #letsallbewell#stayhome #stayhealthy”
The campaign plans to continue placing the orders to feed medical personnel, as the pandemic continues to strain the country’s hospital system.