Local Facebook Group Helps Organize Food Takeout and Deliveries

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It grew overnight, affecting thousands of people around Erie. I was exposed to it yesterday, and by today, and I'm happy I was. The Facebook Group "Erie PA Take Out/Delivery 2020" currently has over 8,000 members and that number will likely be doubled by tomorrow. 

After orders came from Governor Wolf on March 16 to close all non-essential businesses, people began to worry about where their next meal would come from. While many of us used this week of warning to stock up on groceries (with supermarkets thankfully being deemed as "essential" and staying open), many others weren't able to line their cupboards with food. 

^{Signs on March 17, along Buffalo Road in Welseyville} 

Besides, one of the best ways to feel some semblance of normalcy during this shutdown is to eat the food you love. For many, that means supporting the local restaurants around the Erie area. 

With the business closings came massive layoffs. Servers especially felt the hit, as large dining rooms found themselves became off-limits. Many restaurants, however, are still able to keep the grills running hot.

If you have still yet to try one of the popular food delivery services, now might be the time. At the time of this writing, Grubhub is offering free delivery. Postmates is giving new guests a $100 fee credit (along with many individual restaurants offering free or reduced rates), and DoorDash and UberEats have several different coupons available (with more to come, no doubt). These services will be exceptionally beneficial for those without access to their own transportation, and those choosing to avoid our (thankfully still-running) public transportation system.

Then there's always good, old-fashioned carryout. Call in your order and pick it up.  

With the "Erie PA Take Out/Delivery 2020," you can utilize the search function on Facebook's desktop site, or simply comb through the posts until something sparks your interest.  

Brian Waller, Sound Engineer for the Bourbon Barrel, created the group less than 24 hours of this writing, and it struck a huge chord with the Erie community. In a top post from the group he is quick to admit that "I never expected this to be this big. Thank you to everyone who has joined and posted menus and information!" before giving a few rules and regulations for the page. Some of the rules are: Stick to the group's topic; be sure to tip everyone involved; support local, but know that chains employ local people as well; and simply be kind.

That brand of honest kindness and community concern is what made this page grow so quickly. When Mr. Rogers famously told us to "look for the helpers" after 9/11, this is what he meant. 

During this time, we all need a good meal, and we all want to help our favorite places stay afloat.

And heck, what better way to find a Reuben on St. Patrick's day?

Nick Warren is just about to enjoy some leftover wings he grabbed from The Park Tavern yesterday that he got for pickup. He can be reached at nick@eriereader.com