MIAMI (WSVN) - A South Florida power couple is fueling the fight against COVID-19.
Gloria and Emilio Estefan are feeding local healthcare heroes with meals coming straight out of their kitchen.
Healthcare workers are stressed and exhausted during the coronavirus pandemic, and now some help is on the way for South Florida first responders.
“The staff morale increased every day when they find out they’re getting a gift of food or a gift of hand lotion or whatever it may be,” said Jackson Memorial Hospital nurse June Ellis.
The Estefans are stepping in to assist in one way they definitely know how to: with food.
The couple spoke about their generous gesture on Thursday.
“This is our small way of thanking you,” said Gloria. “We hope that you enjoy the meals, and we want to keep you strong and at least happy with what you’re eating.”
“This is our way to say thank you to all the doctors, the nurses, the people who work in the groceries, all the volunteers,” said Emilio, “the people who are really working hard to make a difference.”
Ellis said that one meal means more to her staff than you might think.
“Most of our nurses work 12-hour shifts, and for them to have to get someplace, do food shopping,” she said. “They’re working three, four, five days a week, so this is huge for them to have this. It’s something different. It’s not something canned.”
For the next 30 days, seven days a week, Estefan Kitchen in Miami’s Design District is serving up homemade meals for the heroes at Jackson, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami Police, Miami Beach Police and Miami Beach Fire Rescue.
“Take a break for an hour and have a delicious Cuban meal. That’s home for them,” Ellis said.
The Kiwanis Club of Little Havana also showed their gratitude at Jackson Thursday, teaming up with Versailles Restaurant to keep our front line fighters fed. They delivered more than 250 meals to doctors and nurses.
“It’s a great, special day for all of us to just be able to provide a token of appreciation, providing them their lunch for the day and just reminding them that we’re thinking about them,” said a Versailles employee.
They said it might not be much, but if it eases their burden a bit and brings a little smile to their faces, to these volunteers, that means a whole lot.
The Estefans said they’re open to extending the meal deliveries to Jackson Memorial Hospital, as well as to other healthcare workers and first responders in Miami’s Design District, past May 16 if necessary.
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