Pelham Cares: Neighbor to Neighbor exceeded its goal for donations in three days, raising $30,050 by Saturday.

Fundraising has been paused so can organizers can use the money to buy food from local businesses for delivery to those on the frontlines in the Covid-19 crisis. The campaign wants to turn its attention toward coordinating a schedule for that effort.

“We’ve budgeted $15 per meal,” Amy Cole, communications director for the Pelham Chamber of Commerce, said when contributions hit $28,000. “So that would be about 2,000 meals. We also want to make sure that we’re tipping the delivery people and the people making the food.”

Pelham Cares is built around contributions from community members who want to help local restaurants and first responders.  The Junior League of Pelham, Pelham Together, the Pelham Civic Association and the chamber of commerce have combined their efforts into creating this collaborative campaign to assist the local community during the pandemic.

“I’m blown away,” said Cole. “I’ve done a lot of fundraising, and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a response quite like thi. This town is absolutely amazing. It’s really a unique community, and I’m so proud to be a part of it.”

At least seven businesses are participating, including Caffe Regatta, Cantina Lobos, Flowerbake by Angela, GoGreek, JCafe, Little Bird Cookie Company and Pelville Coffee & Pastry. More are expected to join.

Cole said that Pelham Cares is continuing to reach out to local shops to make sure that each one that wants help receives it.

Meals have already gone out to the Pelham Police Department, Pelham Fire Department and the Montefiore Respiratory Unit in New Rochelle. The next few recipients will be Jacobi Hospital, Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx and the New York-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital, according to a Facebook post by the Pelham Civics.

“We have such a great momentum going in the town that it’s so important to do what we can to support (the businesses) right now,” Cole said.

Email Junior League President Lisa Horten at [email protected] with any questions or suggestions for restaurants and frontline recipients.