Elizabeth Hutches, at right, delivers a restaurant take-out order to Barb Neugebauer as part of Holyoke Chamber of Commerce’s free delivery service last Friday and Saturday evenings.
Free food delivery draws community closer together
In a time when people are supposed to stay apart and stay at home, the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce has cooked up a project to bring the community closer together.
Last weekend the chamber kicked off its free food delivery service. Chamber board members and local volunteers made over 70 deliveries for restaurant take-out meals on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Due to health concerns from the coronavirus pandemic, restaurants have had to close their dining rooms since mid-March and have been limited to take-out orders only.
Chamber executive director Holly Ferguson said the organization wanted to find a way to help the restaurants that are used to having busy Friday and Saturday nights. All of the businesses were very thankful for the chamber project, she said.
And it gives a bit of normalcy back to residents who enjoy restaurant meals on the weekends, Ferguson added. They can still get their favorite food without leaving home, which also helps slow the spread of the coronavirus.
A small town like Holyoke doesn’t have the delivery options that big cities have, so this service was the chamber’s solution to spur economic activity while still keeping people safe.
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