Restaurant Owner Gives Back to Community with Donated Meals to Wayne Township First Aid Squad

    WAYNE, NJ, July 22, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The COVID-19 pandemic has brought northern New Jersey communities together as residents and businesses have sought ways to show their appreciation to healthcare workers and first responders. Kevin Lin, owner of Chengdu 23 in Wayne, has chosen to give back to the nearby Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad with his restaurant's award-winning Sichuan Chinese cuisine.

Located in the West Belt Plaza shopping center near Willowbrook Mall, Chengdu 23 has been offering contact-free pickup during the pandemic. With his kitchen working but his dining room still closed, Lin wanted to keep his staff busy and provide community outreach while they had the time; he began donating twice a week to the EMT crew at 1505 Hamburg Turnpike in early July. The emergency services organization has more than 80 active members who serve the entire township from two locations, with the second one in the Mountainview area.

"In early June, we donated meals to Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck; but with area hospitals being well served and supported by other restaurants, I decided to do something more local to us," said Lin, who opened Chengdu 23 with partner, Chef Jiang Yong Yi 12 years ago. "I contacted the first aid squad to offer freshly prepared meals as a way to show them we appreciate their service to the Wayne community. It is our pleasure to serve them in this way for all they do."

Daria Lojik, a squad member and organization trustee, picks up the three-course meals, which differ every time, for the crew working at the station that day. She said that the response from her team has been very positive.

"We are extremely thankful to be appreciated in this way by another Wayne community member, especially because we are an all-volunteer organization working on the front lines," said Lojik. "The food is delicious, but the bottom line is that it's nice to know others in the community care about what we do as EMT workers." She added that while several squad members were already fans of Chengdu 23, others who weren't aware of the restaurant are now among its fan base after enjoying the food. Pictures of happy recipients are on Chengdu 23's Facebook page at facebook.com/Chengdu23NJ.

In addition to this recent outreach effort, Lin has long supported the school district with gift cards for school fundraisers, and he supports the fire department and Police Athletic League. He plans to continue donating meals twice a week to the first aid squad for the foreseeable future and may look for other township organizations for additional meal donations. Visit www.chengdu23.com for information about the restaurant, Sichuan cuisine, or to place an order.

Named for a major Chinese city in the Sichuan province, Chengdu 23 opened in its current location at 6 Willowbrook Boulevard in Wayne in 2008. It has won multiple awards for its authentic Sichuan cuisine and has been reviewed numerous times over the years, earning high praise and gaining a strong following. It is owned by Kevin Lin, who has been in the restaurant business for over 20 years. More information is at https://www.chengdu23.com.

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