Local Food Trucks Feeding The Front Line
By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
Three local food trucks have banded together to provide some great tasting comfort to those on the front line of the battle to stop COVID-19.
Pennsauken’s own Mary’s Mobile Diner, run by resident Mary Hilbert; Red’s Rolling Restaurant, run by Hilbert’s daughter Megan; and Sabrina Brill of Not Your Mama’s Tacos, have been serving staff at Cooper University Health Care in Camden for well over a year. When the coronavirus began affecting our region in March, the three came up with a plan to “Feed the Front Line” as a way to give back those in harm’s way who are helping others.
“With donations from the community, we’ve been able to provide free meals and snacks to Cooper University Health Care staff, and the EMTs and police that work at Cooper,” explained Mary. “Our goal was to provide 1,000 meals between April and May. With the help of family, friends, and local businesses, we’ve exceeded that number and we’re hoping to reach 2,000.”
The outpouring of support from Pennsauken and surrounding neighborhoods has been impressive, with residents, as well as a variety of Township businesses, like J.D. Hilbert Construction, LLC, run by Mary’s husband, James, making significant financial donations to feed healthcare workers. In addition, Associated Food Market on Westfield Ave. put money towards groceries and supplied snacks; and Macaro’s Deli and Catering donated 40 hoagies to the food truck’s efforts.
“There are so many people to thank,” added Mary. “To our event organizers we have served in the past who donated; our neighbors, friends, and family; our followers and truck families; the families of the Cooper staff; the schools and individual teachers and staff; and all the small businesses. We will exceed our goal because of all your love and support for these amazing people who are big part of our truck families.”
Mary’s Mobile Diner, Red’s Rolling Restaurant, and Not Your Mama’s Tacos serve Cooper University Health Care staff donated meals on weekends. They are still accepting financial donations through Venmo at “FTFL-Cooper.” The trucks also are looking for generous donors of packaged snacks. For more information, call Mary at (856) 840-3660.
