Group helps Valley healthcare workers, restaurants by bringing free meals to hospitals
A new group is helping healthcare and restaurant workers in the central San Joaquin Valley by giving free meals to hospitals.
This community-funded effort – FLAG Central Valley, short for Front Line Appreciation Group – is run by a registered nurse from Fresno, Tali Whelan.
“I know what it’s like to work 12-plus-hour shifts,” Whelan said, “and getting a nice meal is sometimes what you need to keep you going.”
Since FLAG’s first delivery two weeks ago, it has provided about 700 free meals to Valley hospitals by spending about $5,000 at local restaurants via donations from community members and businesses, Whelan said.
“It is giving back to both restaurant and healthcare workers at the same time,” said Katrina Kochergen, a manager at All Valley Environmental Inc., which donated $1,400 to FLAG. “It supports two parts of our community. It’s great. I love what they are doing.”
Of new difficulties facing healthcare workers, Whelan said: “All of us have never faced a pandemic situation, so little is really known about the virus.”
Of restaurants, she said, many are now “desperate” for business, “especially these family-owned restaurants – that’s their livelihood.”
All money raised by FLAG is used to buy meals delivered to hospitals, she said.
Whelan is giving back at a time when she’s facing new challenges of her own. The mother of three was recently laid off from her job at a dermatology office as COVID-19 has forced businesses across the country to downsize, but Whelan said her family is still doing OK financially.
FLAG has delivered meals to Community Regional Medical Center, Clovis Community Medical Center and Madera Community Hospital. The food has come from the Elbow Room, PressBox Sports Grill, Kabob Land, Sunnyside Diner, Sam’s Italian Deli and Market, and Sal’s Mexican Restaurant.
Churches have also increased free food deliveries in recent weeks, including New Covenant Community Church, which delivered more than 100 meals to CRMC on Thursday.
Whelan got the idea to start FLAG from a news story about a similar group in New Jersey.
Katie Zenovich, chief operating officer of Community Medical Foundation, is among many who are thankful Whelan brought this good work to the Fresno area.
“FLAG is doing an amazing job helping Community’s caregivers with meals to keep them going during this unprecedented time,” Zenovich said. “On behalf of all our staff, thank you for all you are doing to help us care for every patient who comes through our doors.”
Whelan started with the Elbow Room after running her idea by its owner, Michael Shirinian. The next day, April 4, the restaurant prepared and delivered about 100 meals to Community Regional Medical Center at a discounted rate of $6 a person. Shirinian said every bit of business has helped as his restaurant now operates with a reduced staff.
“What she’s doing is tremendous,” Shirinian said.
Whelan selects restaurants that aren’t part of larger chains. Some reached out to her. She said meals are delivered outside by working with health officials, who help prevent crowds of workers from gathering in any one place.
Saint Agnes Medical Center is scheduled to get free meals next. FLAG has deliveries planned next week from Taqueria Jaliscience and Riley’s Brew Pub.
Donations can be made to FLAG via the group’s Facebook page; Paypal, paypal.me/flagcentralvalleyca; and Venmo, @Tali-Whelan.
Toca Madera Winery announced Thursday that it will help by donating 20% of its wine sales to FLAG through May 15.
Shayne Vetter, a winemaker at the winery, said he’s glad to be part of an effort that’s a “win for everyone.”
