Western Pa. restaurants offer free lunches to schoolkids during hiatus over coronavirus fears

School lunches are getting an upgrade from restaurants around the area that are offering free mid-day meals to children in light of a two-week shutdown of schools amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

Many owners said they felt the need to help after Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday ordered all Pennsylvania K-12 schools to close for two weeks in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus. School districts are permitted during the closure to serve meals offsite at no cost to low-income students, according to the state Department of Education.

As school districts formulate plans, local business owners have stepped up.

“Some kids, they rely on those lunches that they do get for free,” said Rocco Pifferetti, owner of Rocco’s Pizzeria in Youngwood.

Restaurants will start on Monday serving up lunch menus aimed at children, including pizza, salad and chicken tenders, at no cost. Anyone ordering should mention that the meal is meant to be a free student lunch.

Pifferetti said parents are dealing with uprooted schedules and may not have extra money to make sure there is food available for their children.

“If they look like they are under 18, we are going to feed them,” he said.

Patyn McCune, owner of Lelulo’s Pizzeria in Plum, said she qualified under federal income guidelines for free and reduced-price school lunches as a child. She understands the need.

“My first thought was ‘Oh God, how are these kids going to eat,’ ” she said.

Her offer to help students has exploded — the pizzeria has gotten donations from the community of cases of bottled water, milk cartons, apple slices and carrots.

“I honestly didn’t expect it to blow up like that,” McCune said.

At Tapped Brick Oven & Pour House in Hempfield, it was something owners Eric and Julie Jones felt they needed to do.

“We’ve been a member of the community for awhile, and we’ve had support from them,” Eric Jones said. “So in my eyes, it’s not a big deal.”

Tapped also is offering curbside takeout for anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable leaving their vehicle after the governor encouraged residents to avoid large gatherings and recreational activities. Jones said a staff member will bring an order outside.

“Just trying to maintain a little sense of normalcy right now,” he said.

Irwin Dairy Queen managers Brianne Mihalik and Nicole Airhart said they discussed the situation with the owners of the Hempfield establishment before moving to help local students. The offer applies only to that Route 30 location.

“We just figured it would be good to do something like this for the community,” Mihalik said.

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting lives across the globe. In Pennsylvania, there are at least 63 total cases, as of Sunday afternoon. Four cases have been reported in Allegheny County and one in Washington County, though officials have said they expect that to grow.

More than 400 patients in the state have been identified for testing, officials said. The eastern part of the state has been heaviest hit, so far, with the governor ordering closures of nonessential retail, including malls, bars and restaurants.

Most people who get infected with the virus experience moderate symptoms and the vast majority of people recover, the Associated Press reported. Others, including older adults and people with existing health issues, can become severely sick, according to the news outlet.

This list of locations offering free lunches will be updated:

• Big Black Grill: 103 E. Byers Ave., New Stanton. Pulled pork or pulled chicken sandwich or hot dog and one side. Details on their Facebook page.

• Inferno Pizza, Pasta & Wings Restaurant: 13380 Route 30, North Huntingdon. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., pizza and drink for dine-in or take-out. Norwin students only. Details on Inferno’s Facebook page.

• Irwin Dairy Queen: 7578 Route 30, Hempfield. Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Any kid’s meal with a drink. This location only for local students. Details on Irwin Dairy Queen’s Facebook page.

• Hunker Fox’s Pizza Den: 1669 New Stanton Ruffsdale Road. Starting Monday, free pizza slices and water at the restaurant or $4.99 delivery of “kids school lunch deal” that must be ordered a day in advance. The deal is available 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for a small cheese pizza and drink.

• JTown Kitchen: 109 S. Second St., Jeannette. Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Lelulo’s Pizzeria: 311 Unity Trestle Road, Plum. Tuesday-Friday, pizza, salad, 6-inch sub chicken tenders and fries. Details on Lelulo’s Facebook page.

• Loucks Park: North Chestnut Street, Scottdale. Monday, 11-noon, JJ’s Pizza, hot dogs, snacks, drinks.

• Mad Pies: 811 Water St., Scottdale. Tuesday-Friday starting at 11 a.m. Students must have an ID or be accompanied by a caregiver. Pizza, chicken tenders, peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese. Details on Mad Pie’s Facebook page.

• Rocco’s Pizzeria: 112 S. Third St., Youngwood. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Slice of pizza, tossed salad, chicken tenders and fries. Details on Rocco’s Facebook page.

• Tapped Brick Oven & Pour House: 6044 Lincoln Highway, Hempfield. Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. while school is shut down. Chicken tenders and fries, kid’s pizza and kid’s spaghetti. Details on Tapped’s Facebook page.

• United Presbyterian Church in New Kensington: 601 Fifth Ave., starting Monday, 9-10 a.m. and noon-1 p.m. Grade school and college students can ring a doorbell at the entrance marked No. 3 to pick up a bag of food. No sign-ups required.

• Brady’s Restaurant, 3242 Rt. 31, Acme, offering free kids meals to all children during the hours of 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Chicken fingers or grilled cheese with fries and grapes. Details on Brady’s Facebook page.

Freelance writer Joyce Hanz contributed. Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@tribweb.com or via Twitter @byrenatta.