Since mid-March, Mexican Sharon Litwak has been bringing hot food to medical personnel who are on the front lines of Los Angeles hospitals in the battle against the coronavirus.
"In the last three weeks we have sent more than 600 meals to the emergency departments and to the floors where the patients of COVID-19 are cared for. at Los Angeles Children's Hospital, Tarzana Hospital, West Hills Hospital and Valley Presbyterian Hospital, ”he says.
The meals were distributed through the Óscar Litwak Foundation that Sharon created in 2003 in memory of her son who died of cancer at the age of four. The foundation was born with the mission of delivering toy stations to California hospitals to give meaning to her life after the loss of her son.
She never imagined that one day a global pandemic would force her to stop delivering toys to hospitals to bring food to staff.
How did the idea come about?
“When they started saying that the hospitals were going to be at full capacity, I spoke to my contacts at those centers to ask how we can help them. We realized that doctors and nurses were going through a very difficult situation and had very high stress levels ”, He says.
So he decided to temporarily stop focusing on hospital children, and show appreciation to the medical staff with a hot meal so they didn't have to worry about what they were going to eat.
"On March 26 we brought their first meal to the Van Nuys Valley Presbyterian Hospital," Sharon says.
Before going, they coordinate with hospital authorities, whose staff wait outside for food. “We have brought them food at noon and at night. Also on weekends because those days almost nobody helps them. "
Sharon says the response has been incredible. "I leave you a card with information from the Óscar Litwak Foundation, and they send me texts and emails thanking you for thinking of them."
Dr. Alan Nager, emergency chief of Children’s Hospital, has been one of the most grateful.
"We feel that in general the community is on our side, but even more those who carry out these actions," says the doctor.
He adds that the stress and anxiety during those days, weeks, and perhaps months to come, have been very hard.
"Psychologically, knowing that there are people who care about us and are willing to give the extra makes a difference that comforts us.. Thank you for putting a smile on many people's faces. "
What kind of food?
Sharon says it is a nutritious meal complete with chicken or meat, vegetables, pasta, rice, and dessert.
"We have brought them roast chickens, salads, hamburgers and Mediterranean food."
To launch this initiative, they made an alliance with around five restaurants and food preparation businesses, which have given the Óscar Litwak Foundation very affordable prices; and they are also very grateful because this work allows them to remain open.
"It's a win for everyone now that there are many people without jobs. We help restaurants and medical personnel in the first line of care for patients with coronavirus"
Where does the money come from?
The Mexican says she started asking for donations via social media and emails for doctors' food to her close circles of Mexican-Jews in Los Angeles, but more and more people have joined the cause. "I don't know some of the donors," he says.
He anticipates that next week, they will take food to a nursing home, since they consider it a very forgotten population.
La Gondola, an Italian-kosher restaurant in Beverly Hills, whose owner Tere Weinblut, a Mexican, mother of four children of 25, 23, 18 and 12 years, is one of those who participate in this initiative.
"It has been wonderful to have the pleasure of helping the doctors at the Children's Hospital who have done so much for our children in very difficult situations.", He says.
And preparing the food for them – he clarifies – it was not for money, but for putting a grain of sand.
Tere adds that the coronavirus caught them off guard, and at La Gondola, a 13-year-old restaurant in Beverly Hills, they employ 25 employees who have had to cut their work hours because of the restriction of only selling takeout food. However, he optimistically assures that they are confident that everything will be fine.
Satisfaction in helping
Sharon who opened the Óscar Litwak Foundation in the darkest moment of her life, when she lost her son Óscar with the intention of having a little joy when helping other people, says that it makes her feel very good and proud, to support with food those who care for patients in intensive care and in the COVID-19 rooms of hospitals.
"I am healthy, my husband still has a job, my daughters can take classes on-line. I couldn't sit still and my way of helping has been bringing food. I ask people to find a way to support the needy because it will bring them great satisfaction in this time of pandemic"
