Molloy would like to shine a spotlight on our essential workforce and citizen volunteers who are serving our communities. Hospital workers, EMTs, NYPD, FDNY, food service, government, citizen volunteers – we want to hear from you! If you or someone you know should be recognized by Molloy, please reach out to us at [email protected].
Pictured above L-R: Dedicated employees Jennifer Kasworm and Natalie Tortora; Danny Salas (Chef), Adam Tortora ’01 (Owner)
PRESS RELEASE: For 43 years, Fillmore’s Tavern on 166th Street and 65th Avenue in Fresh Meadows, NY has been an establishment that the community can rely on for freshly cooked meals, delicious drinks, friendly service and a place to call home. Even though they were forced to close their doors to the public weeks ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some loyal employees, chefs and management have still been working in order to continue their take-out business. Another way they have been continuing to serve the community has been operating a “marketplace” at their front entrance where people can purchase canned goods, butchered meats, paper goods and affordable Grab n Go meals. After opening the marketplace and running the take-out business, Owner Adam Tortora ’01 realized he wanted to do more to assist other essential workers. Community members, customers and more started sending him donations to sponsor meals for neighboring businesses that were deemed essential.
Tortora says, “Staying healthy is our main goal and if we can do some good for essential employees and keep people working during this time, we will do whatever we can”. Currently they have raised more than $6,000 and have sent meals to the local police precincts, firehouses, and emergency rooms. Monica Rogan a Physician Assistant in the Emergency Room at New York Presbyterian Queens was working another long shift when the donation of meals arrived from Fillmore’s Tavern. Rogan says “I can’t begin to say how thankful myself and my colleagues were to receive these meals during our shift. Sometimes I am so caught up with caring for people that I forget to eat – it was a much needed meal. Thank you to Fillmore’s Tavern and to those that have sponsored these meals so far.”
The more meal sponsorships they receive, the more essential workers can continue to receive free meals to thank them for their dedication and tireless efforts to keeping this community going. A Go Fund Me page has been created where people can contribute to this great cause while also supporting a local business. “We want to continue to be able to provide meals to essential workers throughout this time, as it’s important that we remember those that are risking their lives everyday”, Tortora says. Visit www.fillmorestavern.com for more info.
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Good news from Long Beach, where Sal Ciccone ’11, owner of Baldoria Restaurant, teamed up with his father’s Local 817 theatrical teamsters to donate meals to NYU Langone Hospital and Cornell Medical Center. Thank you to this great Stanner family! (pictured right, third photo)
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Joe Caruana ‘78 and other volunteers are doing their part to feed families in need by coordinating contactless care package pickups every Monday and Thursday morning outside the St. Teresa of Avila food pantry. This effort is expected to run through June. Joe and his fellow volunteers have helped feed over 400 families so far. (pictured right, fourth photo)
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Mark Boccia Sr. ‘82 and his son, Mark Boccia Jr., were featured in the New York Post Metro section on April 10th in recognition of their “Food for the Fearless” project. The project, sponsored by Boccia Sr.’s Bourbon Street restaurant in Bayside, has raised over $48,000 and donated over 700 meals to healthcare workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. Boccia Sr. credits his son with coming up with the project, but together they have made a difference in their community. Click here to read the full story in the New York Post.
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Travis Kessel ’09, who works as an EMT in the South Bronx, is featured in an Associated Press article titled A city under siege: 24 hours in the fight to save New York. In this sobering article, Travis shares a bit about his experience handling an increase of emergency calls during each of his shifts. Travis’ words serve as a sobering reminder of the tough battle we continue to face together. Click here to read the article.