As the Ohio National Guard pitches in at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, Johnny's Downtown is offering a helping hand.
On Wednesday, the popular W. 6th St. establishment will cater a free lunch to members of the National Guard at 11 a.m. The lunch will consist of pasta, turkey clubs, burgers, risotto and other Johnny's favorites.
WKYC.com will stream live as Johnny's packs up and delivers the food to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. You can watch that stream in the video player above beginning around 10:45 a.m.
With the coronavirus causing a surge in unemployment and economic hardship, the Greater Food Bank has said it's currently facing unprecedented times.
"All indications are that this pandemic is going to continue for a while. And, for the Food Bank that means we have to continue to keep things moving in high gear. Unemployment claims filed this past week are at an all-time high and as we noted, more than 1/3 of the individuals attending our most recent drive through distribution were first time recipients of our services," the Food Bank said in a release last week. "We are mindful of the role we play in serving our community. We are stewards of the wonderful donations that we are receiving to help with providing food as well as essential providers to help with this disaster. They say there is strength in numbers and that is so true in this time and in this place."
Johnny's Downtown feeding National Guard members at Cleveland Food Bank
With the National Guard's help, the Food Bank has been able to limit its volunteer hours. For more information or to make a donation, check out GreaterClevelandFoodBank.org.