Downtown House of Pizza Donates 200 Pizzas to Healthcare Workers at Southwest Florida Hospitals on the Front Lines of the COVID-19 Pandemic
“Because they’re doing so much for us right now, we felt the need to give something back to them,” said Jason Kohn, owner of Downtown House of Pizza in Downtown Fort Myers, FL.
FORT MYERS, FL, March 29, 2020 – SplashWrench client and local pizzeria owner Jason Kohn of Downtown House of Pizza (DHOP) felt the need to do something to thank those working so hard on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and the struggle to save lives at area hospitals. On Saturday, March 28, 2020, Mr. Kohn and his team of 15 employees, already hard at work having moved their pickup and curbside service out onto the sidewalk, decided to make 200 pizzas to feed healthcare workers at local area hospitals. DHOP employees wrote notes of thanks and encouragement on the pizza boxes for this special delivery, to let the doctors, nurses and healthcare workers know how much they are appreciated. Then, the DHOP team packed up the pizzas and hit the road.
“We knew the hospital had three different shifts, so we planned our work to make the pizzas and deliveries to coincide with the start of each shift over the next 24 hours,” Kohn said. “We wanted to make sure no one was left out.”
WINK News was on location when the first delivery was made to Lee Health’s Lee Memorial Hospital located near Downtown Fort Myers, interviewing Jason Kohn and Lee Health representatives. Fox4 News covered the delivery at Gulf Coast Hospital later in the day.
“Everyone is afraid of the virus. But sometimes simple acts of kindness can offset any negative emotions people are feeling. DHOP has always tried to recognize areas in the community that need love and try to fill it with pizza,” said Kohn.
Downtown House of Pizza, with the help of their marketing company SplashWrench Design and Marketing, posted images of the deliveries and news coverage, viewed and shared by thousands. On Facebook and Instagram, thousands of followers liked and shared, and posted notes of thanks and encouragement to healthcare workers. Photos and posts of thanks from healthcare workers followed immediately after delivery.
“I am a community minded person in general. I volunteer my time at Edison Park Elementary School every week. I have served for a decade on the Fort Myers RDA board. I would say I did it because these heroes working in healthcare right now need community support. Yes I was hoping that other restaurants, hotels, or whomever would see this story and maybe do something as well, what ever they can right now. I know it’s a difficult time,” said Kohn.
Downtown House of Pizza is a landmark pizzeria and craft beer bar located on Hendry St. in the heart of Downtown Fort Myers. Opening in September 2005, the restaurant is a mainstay in Downtown Fort Myers, loved by locals and visitors to Southwest Florida. In late 2018, DHOP expanded to include a dining area and beer bar featuring beers from some of the area’s finest local breweries. Downtown House of Pizza has social pages on Facebook and Instagram as well as a website, http://www.downtownhouseofpizza.com.