Local Businesses Donate Masks, Meals and Cupcakes to Inova Alexandria Hospital

Even as Alexandria businesses struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of them are providing Inova Alexandria Hospital with respirator masks, meals and cupcakes.

“Alexandria Hospital needs these things desperately. If you have them, donate them,” said Mike Dameron, a co-owner of The Garden, which along with Live Oak Restaurant is donating more than 50 meals to Alexandria Hospital on Friday afternoon. “We had to close down The Garden, and we had all of this food left over.”

Dameron also owns Windmill Hill, a local contracting firm that is renovating five homes in Del Ray. With five projects still in the works, he recently contacted all of his subcontractors and suppliers to look for spare N95 and N100 masks. He gathered 30 masks, and those also went to the hospital.

“I know those masks exist in the community, but I think people are holding them close to their chests,” Dameron said. “We need to do whatever we can to support people on the front lines. It will help everyone in the end.”

Justus Frank, the executive chef and co-owner of Live Oak and The Garden, is making the meals — meatloaf with mash potatoes and gravy.

“I think a lot of the satisfaction that comes from making this food is that it will not go to waste,” he said. “There is too much food in restaurants right now that is going to end up in the trash. We were looking at how to service the community without putting the community at risk.”

Alexandria Cupcake is also doing its part. This week, owner Adnan Hamidi and his son Joshua donated many dozens of cupcakes to the hospital, the Alexandria jail and more.

“As a thank you and to recognize these brave first responders, both Alexandria Cupcake and Fredericksburg Cupcake have donated and will continue to donate to the Alexandria Police Department, Alexandria Sheriff’s Department, Alexandria firefighters, Inova Hospitals, Sentara hospitals, the Fredericksburg Police Department, and homeless shelters throughout the region,” Hamidi told ALXnow.

Hamidi has also contacted Senior Services of Alexandria to provide dessert for their meals delivery program for the elderly.

Incidentally, Alexandria Cupcake has partnered with Sweet Fire Donna’s to offer cupcakes on their menu. The company is also offering free delivery within a five mile radius for any order of $25 or more.

“During these unprecedented times, we must all stick together but not forget to take care of the ones that take care of us or need us,” Hamidi said. “I wish everyone a successful journey through these turbulent times and I know I will see you all on the other side.”