Lawrenceville Restaurant Collects Food For Neighbors In Need During Coronavirus Pandemic

Like millions of restaurant owners all across America, Beth and Katie Talarico have closed their Lawrenceville restaurant, Piazza Talarico, to sit-down dining. But as the news about the Coronavirus Crisis slows business to a virtual halt, Beth and Katie have found new purpose in their tightly-knit community: to love their neighbors.

With all schools across the Commonwealth closed, hundreds of thousands of students who rely on their school districts for breakfast and lunch have been faced with the frightening prospect of not knowing where they will get their next meal. That reality pushed the Talarico sisters to action. So they put out a plea on Facebook.

"So many of the restaurants in our area answered our call, it gives me chills," Beth Talarico shared with me Monday on my KDKA 1020AM radio show. 

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"We put it out on social media that we would be a drop-off point for perishable and non-perishable goods, and any restaurant in the area that had products that they weren't going to use, we would take that too, and give it a purpose."

Soon, Piazza Talarico was swimming with juice boxes, freshly-made cold cut sandwiches, pizza rolls, and fresh pasta. The Talaricos partnered with 412 Food Rescue and picked up 20 pounds of prepared pasta - enough for about 100 dinners - and dropped those meals off to a senior high-rise in the Hill Distict. 

"It's so amazing, seeing what neighbors are doing to help each other," Beth Talarico says. "And it's a wonderful reminder of why Pittsburgh is the greatest place to live."

If you have food to contribute, know someone who needs a meal, or would like to help with food and meal distribution, Beth and Katie Talarico welcome your call. (412) 652-9426.