Victor Zando Foundation Helps Hungry Heroes During COVID Crisis

Founded in 2003, the Victor Zando Foundation is a nonprofit organization built upon the values of faith, family, education, and community. The foundation supports and promotes educational excellence by providing mentorship, scholarships, and tuition assistance for Catholic middle and high school students, and also supports community service initiatives for those in need through volunteerism and charitable endeavors.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Victor Zando Foundation has organized a Helping Hungry Heroes campaign, raising funds and partnering with generous area restaurants and other food establishments to provide meals to medical personnel who are working on the frontlines at local hospitals in New Jersey and New York.

On March 30, 2020, the foundation treated the staff at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, NJ to more than 100 delicious sandwiches that were provided by Pat’s Market of Lincroft, NJ. The lunch trays went to the emergency room staff, ICU staff, and environmental services team.

On six different dates in April, they partnered with Canlon’s Restaurant in Staten Island, NY to deliver lunch to the nurses, doctors, and staff members at Staten Island University Hospital.

And on May 15, the foundation worked in conjunction with Tuscany Specialty Foods in Marlboro, NJ to prepare dinner for the night crew at Riverview Medical Center. That nighttime meal was specifically requested by a generous donor family who wanted to assist the workers of the night shift.

In a statement, the foundation members stated, “These times are very stressful and scary and sometimes we may feel helpless. Even the smallest act of kindness can go a long way and the VZF is proud to play a small part in spreading some kindness.  By feeding our hospital workers, we hope our efforts provided a much-needed delicious break. Our goal was to do something to help these amazing hospital workers and we hope that a nice lunch or dinner may have brightened their day just a little bit. This effort has been a collaboration of many people, proving once again that when we work together, we can accomplish much. Thank you!”

Based in Middletown, NJ, the Victor Zando Foundation was established in memory of Victor Zando, a Staten Island resident, husband, and father who passed away suddenly at the age of 45 while out on his daily run. He was beloved for his devotion to his family, church, sports programs – especially those for area students – and to volunteering to help the community with honesty, integrity, and commitment. The foundation was created by his family and friends in order to continue his legacy. His younger sister, Dorothea, and his wife, Laura, both serve on the executive board.

The Victor Zando Foundation continues to seek ways to make an impact in the community. If you have a suggestion on how they can do that, please send an email to victorzandofoundation66@verizon.net or write to The Victor Zando Foundation, P.O. Box 303, Middletown, NJ 07748. You may also donate directly through their website at https://victorzandofoundation.org. And if you’re looking for additional masks to wear while social distancing, you will also find a link on the website where you can order comfortable, specially designed masks for $10 each, with proceeds going to benefit the foundation and the services it provides.