First responders in Fort Worth show support for restaurants impacted by coronavirus

The city of Fort Worth announced March 20 a new initiative by the Fort Worth Police Officers Association and the Fort Worth Fire Department to support local restaurants that have suffered a decrease in business due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Both organizations have begun selecting Fort Worth restaurants from which to purchase bulk meals each day in order to feed firefighters and officers during their day-to-day activities, according to a city news release.

“We will identify our most vulnerable local restaurants and focus on providing necessary orders to keep them afloat,” POA President Manny Ramirez said in the release. “The goal of this effort is two-fold—to ensure that our local economy can survive these tumultuous time; and to ensure that our dedicated frontline police officers have at least one good meal as they protect and serve.”

Since March 20, the POA has purchased more than 500 meals from local restaurants, such as The Meat Board, Buffalo Brothers and Reata.

“We recognize that it is going to take contributions from every single one of us to ensure that our great city endures,” Ramirez said. “We are committed to doing our part to support our business community in their time of need, as they so often step up to support our city.”

In addition, more than 900 city of Fort Worth firefighters have announced their intent to show additional support for local restaurants while on- and off-duty, the release said.

“You may not realize it, but the firefighters that serve your neighborhoods actually purchase and prepare their own meals while at work,” said Michael Glynn, Fort Worth Local 440 president, in the release. “We are encouraging our members to consider supporting local businesses as they make their daily plans for meals during their 24-hour shifts. Choosing to order meals from local restaurants instead of cooking will help support those local business owners.”