UES Eatery Luke's Bar & Grill Donates Food To First Responders

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Upper East Side restaurant Luke's Bar & Grill is supporting frontline healthcare workers and first responders by donating meals to essential workers throughout New York City, business owner Luigi Militello said.

The Third Avenue and East 79th Street eatery is reaching out to hospital workers, firefighters and police officers to organizing drop-off meals at their workplaces in an effort called "NYC Stronger Together." The effort is funded through donations from Luke's Bar & Grill regulars, and the business has set up a website to solicit donations.

Luke's Bar & Grill, like all New York City restaurants, was forced to close its dining room and bar in March and is currently relying on delivery and take out. In a message posted on the business' website, Luke's owners wrote: "Please, if you don’t need to leave your apartments, DON’T. Especially our senior friends. As we are all in this together. Don’t hesitate to call on us if you need help with anything. Stay strong everyone!"

In addition to soliciting donations, Luke's is selling shirts with the "NYC Stronger Together." Funds from the shirt sales will go toward the restaurant's effort to feed first responders.

This article originally appeared on the Upper East Side Patch