Club partners with Howard University Hospital to provide meals for frontline health care staff  

The National Press Club has joined Howard University Hospital to provide meals for health care workers who are at the forefront of the coronavirus pandemic battle.

The two organizations recently launched Help the Heroes, an initiative that will deliver 300 meals daily to nurses and other medical personnel as they depart the Howard facility after work. The prepared food is meant to give frontline staff a boost and ease self-care challenges following often exhausting shifts.

The meals will be prepared in the Reliable Source and Fourth Estate kitchens. The operation will involve about eight to 10 Club staff contributing to production and packaging of the dinners while another four or so will be involved in delivery.

"This project provides purposeful work for the Club staff until the Club’s traditional business returns,” Club President Michael Freedman said. “And it gives the staff and the members a meaningful project to support that directly addresses a need in the community.”

The project will be funded by corporate, foundation and individual contributions, including donations from Club members, staff as well as Club event clients and vendors. The Club launched a campaign earlier this week with the goal of raising $300,000.  That amount is projected to cover the costs of the program through the pandemic, depending on how long the outbreak lasts.

The program recognizes that communities of color are often the most-impacted by COVID-19, so by helping workers at Howard University Hospital, the Club is bringing aid where it is needed most.

The idea for the meal initiative was inspired by the work being done by renowned Washington chef Jose Andreas through his World Central Kitchen. The specifics of the project were developed by Club House Operations Manager Miguel Dominguez and other staff members.

The Club wants to help Howard hospital workers who are physically and emotionally drained by daily pandemic challenges.

“When nurses are too tired to shop, cook and clean up they can’t take care of themselves or their patients,” Club Executive Director Bill McCarren said. “This program is designed to meet the needs of convenience and nutrition that are central to this challenge. Well-made meals may help employee morale and restore appetites.”