While most people hole up at home, washing their hands and praying they won't develop a cough, a few caring souls are spending the long days of lockdown caring for others.

Ryan Covert and Erik Hulick, owners of the Butler Hot Dog Shop and Snack 'n Pack restaurants, gave away 450 fish sandwiches and fries a week ago.

They asked those receiving the food to bring canned goods and cleaning supplies or make donations for those who find themselves laid off and in need.

Covert and Hulick raised almost $1,600 and delivered 1,500 food and cleaning products to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's food bank on North Monroe Street.

Not satisfied with that program, the pair also delivers meals to the medical staff at various facilities.

Covert said the law firm Gilliland Vanasdale Sinatra in Butler paid for meals of chili cheese dogs and chips from the Butler Hot Dog Shop, which Covert and Hulick delivered.

On Wednesday, 90 of the decadent lunches were delivered to the staff at Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and 60 to Chicora Medical Center on Thursday.

Covert said the law firm has five more locations in mind where the two will deliver the lunches in the coming days and weeks.

They also delivered a load of food donated by Sysco to the St. Vincent de Paul food bank that filled the bed of Hulick's pickup truck.

“It was 30 cases of stuff,” Covert said. “It's really humbling and we're overwhelmed and honored to do it.”

Hulick said he and Covert are also delivering groceries to elderly or vulnerable citizens all over the county who don't have family to go to the store for them.

“Every day we are going to the grocery store for them,” Hulick said. “At this point, we have two businesses that are scaled down and this is what we are going to do no matter how bad it gets.”

Covert said they also take hot dog meals to local families who they know could use it.

“We sell comfort food, and we want to get people food that makes them feel comfortable that they are used to coming and picking up,” he said. “It gives them some sense of normalcy.”

Support on menu

Another popular restaurant is giving free meals to first responders and medical personnel as they work their jobs during an uncertain time.

Joe Savage, who owns Monte Cello's Italian Restaurant and Lounge in Cranberry Township with his wife, Vicki, has been giving away any meal on the menu to police, firefighters, ambulance personnel, nurses, doctors and others working in the medical field during the coronavirus.

Savage has donated 40 to 50 meals so far.

“Some are surprised. Some insist on paying at least for every other one,” he said. “We've gotten a ton of thank yous between emails, letters and cards.”

Asked why he is going to the trouble and expense to provide the take-out meals on his own dime, Savage echos the thoughts of everyone who is watching the virus play out on television.

“Because of the seriousness of (the virus) and how hard they are working,” he said. “The stuff you see on the news.”

He said many Cranberry Township businesses have called or stopped in to pay for meals for the first responders and medical personnel.

“Just the other day I had a customer give me $100 and say 'Feed some first responders,'” Savage said.

About a week ago, Savage and Monte Cellos owners in the North Hills, Shaler, Wexford and Hampton Township teamed up to give away 1,000 pizzas to anyone who asked for one.

The Cranberry store alone gave away about 300 pies, said Savage, who is not worried about the financial end of donating food.

“It isn't critical to recoup the cost,” he said. “We weren't worried about that.”

He laughed when asked the potential affect all those pizzas and calzones will have on local police, firefighters and EMTs.

“My son-in-law is a police officer,” Savage said. “I said 'You guys are all going to have to hit the gym in a few months.”

Grateful responders

Others in the county are on the receiving end of the community's appreciation, like Vern Smith, president of the Karns City Regional Ambulance Service.

Smith said Rural King donated a case of medical gloves, Fastenal also donated gloves or deeply discounted them, Sherwin Williams discounted N95 masks and Tyvex protective suits, and What's Cooking on Main in Saxonburg prepared and served a delicious meal to his ambulance crews.

“It's remarkable how the community and businesses have stepped up to the plate,” Smith said.

He said state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, is helping the ambulance service apply for grants and Steve Bicehouse and his staff at the Butler County Emergency Services Department have helped his ambulance service with equipment and accessories needed during the coronavirus.

“Those guys have been phenomenal in providing the things we need,” Smith said.

He said Karns City transported the county's first COVID-19 death to Butler Memorial Hospital in March.

The man's family called an ambulance when he was so weakened that he couldn't get up from the porch. The man did not have a fever or cough at that point, Smith said.

It wasn't until five days later the ambulance service learned he tested positive for COVID-19.

That necessitated a thorough cleaning and sterilization of the ambulances, offices and garage bays at both stations in Chicora and Petrolia by a specialized company.

While he initially received a quote of $13,000 to fog, wipe down and disinfect every surface, the cleaning company ultimately decided that $5,000 would suffice from the rural ambulance company.

Smith said those helping the ambulance service during the confusing and sometimes frightening spread of COVID-19 will never understand the appreciation he an all 18 emergency medical technicians and paramedics feel as their donations make their jobs easier in a difficult time.

“I want to extend our sincere appreciation to the organizations that have stepped up to assist us in providing the quality care that the public deserves,” Smith said.