It’s not everyday you get a call that pop sensation Lizzo wants to send lunch to the nurses at Grandview. According to Amy Cotterman, the Catering Director for the Columbus and Dayton McAlister’s Deli, she got that call from Lizzo’s people this past Sunday. They were coordinating lunch to deliveries to front line workers across the country. They had done some homework on Dayton area hospitals, and asked Amy to confirm that their choice would be a good fit for this donation. Through several more phone calls, arrangements were made and today boxed lunches were delivered to Grandview Hospital.
Dayton has been on Lizzo’s radar for a long time, as she has family in the area. Following tragic mass shootings in Dayton this past August, Lizzo was among many people who took to social media to express feelings of helplessness and frustration at the lack of progress following gun-related tragedies. On twitter she posted
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“Just got off the phone w/ fam in Dayton… it was a close call for them but that’s not the case for 9 other families between this & the terrorist attack in El Paso & recent other shootings I feel completely helpless.. make noise & bring awareness.. vote.. don’t normalize this.”
In a video she posted online today Lizzo shared this message:
“Hello, Grandview Medical Center. It is Lizzo and I just wanted to say thank you. A thousand times thank you for all of the hard work that you guys have been doing during this pandemic. We are trying to stay inside and we are thinking of you, and praying for you guys every day, but I wanted to do a little bit more than that and send you guys a treat. I hope you guys enjoy your food. I hope it puts a smile on your face and I hope that you guys have a moment of appreciation or that you feel the appreciation from me and all the people around the world who are thinking of you 24/7. So, if you need anything else, let me know. But other than that, have a great day and just know that I love you.”
Amy Cotterman
Cotterman shared that franchise owner Jake Mulvey believes “Health care professionals are truly on the front lines of this Pandemic and McAlister’s Deli is in awe of the work these medical professionals do.” Mulvey took over and has turned around the two Miami Valley locations in the fall of 2018.
Cotterman says that in dealing with the arrangements with Lizzo’s team, they were delightful, charming and obviously have their hearts in the right place. McCallister’s employees got a kick out of the order from Lizzo and they appreciate the fact that people care. She also shared that they’ve done similar catering orders for other celebrity clients including John Legend.
On Thursday McCalister’s Dei will be feeding the ER at Soin Medical Center on their own cost, “because these warriors are our heroes!”
