Over 450 people benefit from free meals provided by Greensburg restaurant

Jim Bosco has lofty goals for his Greensburg restaurant, Major Stokes: provide 50 free meals to community members in five hours every day.

“I’ve really seen, over the last several years, so much divisiveness and people not being engaged in the community anymore, not looking out for their friends and neighbors as much as we once did,” the owner said. “This kind of brought us together.”

Started two weeks ago, Bosco’s project has helped over 450 people in Westmoreland County have hot meals in a time when 22 million Americans have sought unemployment benefits, The Associated Press reported.

While Bosco only planned on serving free meals for a week, almost $2,000 worth of donations from members of the community has extended that deadline.

Those interested in having meals delivered can call the restaurant at 724-217-8609. Deliveries are made between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Walk-up orders are accepted starting at 4 p.m.

According to Bosco, his goal is to increase the number of homeless people who receive free meals from Major Stokes. Right now, about 12 people receive free meals by walking up to a kitchen window. Precautions are taken to maintain social distancing, and Bosco wears a mask and gloves.

Bosco has also made deliveries to workers at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, providing latex gloves and free meals for those working with coronavirus patients.

And those who receive food from the restaurant will get an extra surprise: A letter of hope written by kids throughout the community.

Several Western Pennsylvania restaurants have banded together since the coronavirus hit, in an effort to provide free meals to those in need. Community members sitting at home have started sewing masks, leaving essential supplies for medical workers and protecting people during activities like grocery shopping.

“This is a global pandemic,” Bosco said. “It’s hitting every community. You can’t expect social services or government services or the existing charities to handle the insane demand coming at us.”

Bosco hopes people will realize that no matter their situation, there is a way to help the community throughout the crisis.

“You can call somebody, you can send them a letter, you can say something positive, you can act socially responsible,” he said. “We’re all in this together.”