'Fuel The Fight' Feeds Health Workers And Gives Local Restaurants A Boost

A grassroots initiative to purchase food for Triad-area health care workers has surpassed its fundraising goal. The meals are prepared by local restaurant chefs.   

Fuel the Fight Winston-Salem provides an income stream for small businesses still reeling from the negative impacts of the coronavirus, while simultaneously supporting hospital workers battling the spread of COVID-19 on the front lines. Three weeks ago, A GoFundMe goal of $30,000 dollars was set to purchase and deliver 1,300 meals from local restaurants.  

Co-organizer Sydney Poretsky says the work going on behind the scenes is all-consuming for her and a small group of volunteers: coordinating social media, restaurant and hospital contacts, and deliveries. She says the response they have received from both health professionals and small business owners has been transformative.

"Honestly every single time I see a picture or we get a message thanking us, it makes me emotional," says Poretsky. "It is just such a beautiful thing to see the looks on their faces and that level of gratefulness for what we're doing." 

Discussions are currently underway to extend the program in order to continue addressing ongoing needs in the community.

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