Several businesses have partnered up to thank first responders and medical professionals in a “tasty” way.

Pasta Grill by Enzo, Mama’s Restaurant & Cafe Baci, Nicolosi’s Pizza, La Bella Via Restaurant, and special sponsors Dr. Will Austin, President of Warren Community College and its Trustee Board, Doug Steinhardt and his law firm of Florio, Perrucci, Steinhardt, Cappelli, Tipton & Taylor LLC, and Jeff Milanaik and his firm Bridge Development Partners joined forces for a special gift certificate program to honor front line workers in the battle against COVID-19.  

“We are all in this fight together,” said Dr. Will Austin, President of Warren Community College. “When things get tough, Warren County doesn’t hesitate to team up and help out its neighbors. This program is just another example of how we do this.”  

Dr. Austin added, “I want the sponsors of this program to know how much we appreciate their involvement in this project. As a group we cannot do enough to thank those folks who have been on the front lines of this pandemic.” 

First responders and medical professionals throughout the county are receiving hundreds of $25 gift certificates.  Participating restaurants already well known for their commitment to the community, include Pasta Grill by Enzo with two restaurant locations in Washington and Mansfield Township, Mama’s Restaurant & Cafe Baci located in Hackettstown, and from Phillipsburg, Nicolosi’s Pizza and also La Bella Restaurant.   

The “letter” that accompanies the gift certificates states, “In these unprecedented times and uncertain times, we want you to know that we’re thinking about you, about our community, and about working together to make each other’s lives a little more manageable.” 

The letter is a testament to the heroes of our community, “We cannot get through this without your dedication and bravery.”

Warren Community College, which was instrumental in spearheading this effort, has been supporting the community during the pandemic. From the beginning, the college organized additional donations. The first was a massive donation of medical supplies provided to the county. This was followed by reaching out to students, community members, and first responders with “goodie bags” that included hard to acquire paper products as well as spaghetti dinners, and in some cases, $25 gift cards from ShopRite of Greenwich.