In the Fight Against COVID-19, They Embrace Tikkun Olam

We are so proud of the WHC community members who have put their talents and passions to work to help those on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis.

Valerie Zweig

Prescription Chicken

Valerie and her cousin and business partner Taryn Pellicone began delivering their delicious soup to hungry bellies in the DC area in 2016. When the COVID-19 crisis began, they wanted to put their magical nourishing skills to use and have raised over $7,700 — including a very generous contribution from WHC’s WHECTY Zoom-a-Thon fundraiser! These donations are enabling Valerie and Taryn to make and give more than 800 quarts of hot chicken soup to our local heroes. Three hundred quarts have already made their way to George Washington University Hospital, and plans are in place to deliver soup to additional hospitals in D.C. and Maryland as well as all 33 D.C. Fire and EMS stations. Learn more at prescriptionchicken.com

Missy Lieber

Helping Our Heroes

What began as a text to 20 women in her neighborhood about raising money to do something for people on the front lines has created a local movement and grown to a Facebook group called “Helping Our Heroes” that has nearly 200 members. Over the past month, through donations and creativity, they have provided: lunch, coffee, and snacks to Suburban Hospital staff; an Urban BBQ dinner for Fire Station 26 on Old Georgetown Road; snacks to the Montgomery County Bethesda Police Department; lunch for the entire staff at Manor Care on Old Georgetown Road; dinner for the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad, and more! Missy says, “Being a part of something bigger has helped maintain my emotional well being during this time. I continue to work from home (I work in advertising), help my daughters do their online work and cook/order dinner which my husband appreciates. I’m so grateful. Let’s keep on giving to others. It makes us better human beings.”

 Elliot Spaisman

Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken

Elliot Spaisman, co-founder of Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, has launched Comfort for the Crisis, a charitable initiative that supports the people on front lines fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and those who have been most impacted by its effects. Customers can make a donation right on their website (and order some doughnuts and chicken to pick up as well!). For every $500 raised, Astro adds an additional $100 and their famous food truck delivers amazing fried chicken and doughnuts to area hospitals and other front line workers. Learn more at astrodoughnuts.com.

Adam Greenberg

Potomac Pizza

Adam Greenberg has owned and run Potomac Pizza since 1995. In addition to its five restaurant locations, Potomac Pizza and Adam are well known and appreciated for engaging and giving back to the community. Potomac Pizza’s response to the COVID-19 crisis is no different. On March 30, they started a GoFundMe! fundraiser to raise $5,000 to feed front line workers and first responders. When that goal was reached in less than 48 hours, they set their sights higher, and in 10 days, raised more than $15,000. Direct donations from WHC’s WHECTY Zoom-a-Thon and Sysco Foods put them at $20,000, which Potomac Pizza has matched, bringing the total to $40,000! With this, they can provide food to hospitals and fire, rescue, and police departments for several weeks and are also inviting these front-line heroes to pick up a free pizza to feed themselves and their families at home. Learn more at potomacpizza.com.