As frontline medical workers continue to work tirelessly to combat the spread of COVID-19, companies continue to band together to support them. American Express and Hilton just announced that they are extending their partnership through a $1 million contribution to José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen to provide daily meals to frontline healthcare professionals.
This announcement comes after AMEX and Hilton joined together to donate up to one million hotel room nights to medical workers. Hundreds of thousands of rooms were booked, and now the companies wanted to take it one step further. The new program feeds medical workers staying in those donated rooms. They can simply pick up the healthy, freshly-prepared meals from the hotel where they are delivered daily.
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“Our medical workers who are courageously and selflessly serving on the frontlines in the coronavirus crisis represent the best of who we are,” American Express Chairman and CEO, Stephen J. Squeri, previously said in a statement. “We’re honored to support this initiative with our longtime partner, Hilton, to provide the heroes in our communities a place to rest, recharge and help keep their loved ones safe during this time.”
The donation and partnership are also meant to enable some furloughed restaurant staff to return to work in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Local restaurants are being used to prepare the meals, allowing restaurants to hire back some workers they had to let go. Famous spots like Jon & Vinny’s, Osteria Mozza, Angler, Legacy Records, ATLA, Café Altro Paradiso, and Estadio are all on board.
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American Express has been at the forefront during the pandemic helping businesses and people across the country. In March, they announced card members could use their points to donate to the Feeding America charity. They recently unveiled new card benefits to help during the COVID-19 crisis and joined together with over 40 of the world's leading companies to support small businesses.
