ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ independent radio station The Drive has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help feed health-care workers and first responders while also supporting local restaurants during the coronavirus crisis.
In its first 10 days, “Drive Thru for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Frontline†has raised more than $7,000 of its $45,000 goal. All of the donations will be used to buy food from ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ restaurants that will be delivered to hospital workers or first responders.
The campaign is being organized by Hill Bailey, cohost of The Drive’s “Bobby & Bailey Show.†In a written release, Bailey said they will authorize the restaurants to feed up to 100 people per delivery. The goal is two-pronged — feed those who “have put aside their worries for their own families and health to show up for us every day†and support local restaurants and the economy.
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On Friday, April 3, 100 meals purchased from Nana’s Kitchen in Marana were delivered to Banner-University Medical Center ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, courtesy of the campaign, according to the GoFundMe page.
“It’s our duty to help each other in times of need. It’s the human thing to do,†Bailey said.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ restaurants have been limited to takeout and drive-thru service only after city and state officials last month ordered all dining rooms closed along with bars. On Wednesday, April 8, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mayor Regina Romero authorized restaurants to operate as pop-up grocery stores as well, with the ability to sell packaged food, fresh produce, paper goods and cleaning supplies to customers without changes to current certificates of occupancy or business licenses.
To donate to “Drive Thru for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Frontline†visit the GoFundMe at .
KDRI The Drive, owned by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ business titan Fletcher McCusker and longtime ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ radio personalities Bobby Rich and Jim Arnold, went live in August on 101.7 FM and AM-830 from Broadway and Scott downtown. The station also is streamed at T
Photos for April 1: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ gets by during Coronavirus Pandemic
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
A dinosaur statue over the doors of MATS Dojo at 5929 E. 22nd St., sports an athletic cup for a face mask in the second week of COVID-19 restrictions, March 31, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
A pair of protestors use their car to block west bound traffic on Silverlake to let other protestors make the left turn in into the Pima County Adult Detention Complex during a vehicle based demonstration by #FreeThemAll for the release of prisoners in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, March 31, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Raj Paudel hands a bag of food to a customer at Govinda's to-go-tent located at 711 E. Blacklidge Drive, on April 1, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
The biggest hit to employment in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ came in the leisure and hospitality industry — hotels, bars, restaurants and places of amusement — which alone shed 5,200 jobs.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
John Aldecoa tapes up a banner outside his restaurant, Brother John's, as he and his staff get ready to serve again after being closed since the COVID-19 restrictions were put in place two weeks ago, April 1, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Michael Olivas, right, helps Arnold Vizcaino, City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Parks and Recreation employees, lock up swings at Gene C. Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way, in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 1, 2020. The City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Parks and Recreation employees are going around to all ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ parks to close all ramadas, gazebos, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, all sports courts and fields, horseshoe pits and splash pads due Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Caution tape across an entrance on a playground at Gene C. Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way, in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 1, 2020. City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Parks and Recreation employees are closing all ramadas, gazebos, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, sports courts and more due to the coronavirus outbreak.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
A "CLOSED' sign and caution tape is placed around a ramada at Gene C. Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way, in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 1, 2020. The City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Parks and Recreation employees are going around to all ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ parks to close all ramadas, gazebos, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, all sports courts and fields, horseshoe pits and splash pads due Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Vanessa Richards, 18, left, and Ella Dotson, 17, adjust their mortar boards and hair in the window of a building along Scott Ave. in downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ on March 31, 2020. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic the rest of the school year has been canceled. Richards and Dotson are seniors at Marana High School and will not have a formal graduation ceremony. The pair came to downtown to get photos of themselves in their caps and gowns.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Vanessa Richards, 18, left, and Ella Dotson, 17, take a selfie as their friend, Camilla Hamilton, 17, gets her photo taken by Vanessa’s mother, Chrissi, along Scott Ave. in downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ on March 31, 2020. Due to the coronavirus, the rest of the school year has been canceled. The Marana High School seniors went downtown to get photos of themselves in their caps and gowns.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Georgia Goodwin, volunteer, sews masks for hospital workers and the community at Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum, 5701 E. Speedway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum have made roughly 2,000 masks, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in one week for local hospitals in Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Along with other volunteers and employees, Paula Sanford, center, volunteer, sews masks for hospital workers and the community at Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum, 5701 E. Speedway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum have made roughly 2,000 masks, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in one week for local hospitals in Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Andy Cathey, Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum employee, sews masks for hospital workers and the community at Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum, 5701 E. Speedway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum have made roughly 2,000 masks, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in one week for local hospitals in Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Andy Cathey, Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum employee, sews masks for hospital workers and the community at Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum, 5701 E. Speedway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum have made roughly 2,000 masks, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in one week for local hospitals in Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Rudy Arriaga, far left, and his mother, Dale, chat with Damian Velez, far right, general manager and Joseph Ashbacher before leaving with their takeout order at Bianchi's Italian Restaurant, 3640 W. Tangerine Road, in Marana, Ariz. on March 30, 2020. The Marana location will closed due to a drop in business.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
A man wearing personal protective equipment works out at FitCore at Morris K Udall Park, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 29, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Ruby Boulet-Stephenson waters the family's new backyard garden, on March 27, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Roccos Little Chicago Pizzeria sports the phrase "Eat the Rich" on its marquee, on March 31, 2020. The local pizza spot is currently closed due to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19.)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
A pedestrian crosses Church Avenue near the Historic Pima County Courthouse in a nearly-empty downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ during the coronavirus pandemic in spring 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
A bank customer wears gloves while at a drive up ATM at Chase Bank, 8701 E. Broadway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 29, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
While traveling through ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Canadians Lauri Buchanan and her husband Brian Buchanan, left, eat lunch with their friends Rhonda McDonald and her husband Pat McDonald, right, from Wyoming, outside of Whataburger, 6504 E. 22nd St., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan and Mr. and Mrs. McDonald were eating outside due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
David Cardinal, a sales associate at The Hub, works with a customer at the gun store located at 1400 S Alvernon Way, on March 28, 2020. The store saw an increase in customers during the last few weeks.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
An employee at The Hub, a gun store located at 1400 S Alvernon Way, works with a customer on March 28, 2020. The store saw an increase in customers during the last few weeks.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Cassie Phelps, food service employee for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Unified School District, hands two students lunches and breakfast at Harold Steel Elementary School, 700 S. Sarnoff Dr., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 31, 2020. TUSD is offering lunches and breakfast for students due to schools being canceled because of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Jolene Luquin, teaching assistant for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Unified School District, organizes educational packets for a parent at Harold Steel Elementary School, 700 S. Sarnoff Dr., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 31, 2020. The educational packets, for grades K-12, include the curriculum for all classes from science to math to history and others. It allows the students, parents and teachers to keep learning despite not being in the classroom, according to Karla Escamilla, TUSD public information officer. TUSD plans to have most of the paperwork online in the next couple of weeks, said Escamilla, as well as issue laptops to students who don't have access to a computer. TUSD is issuing these packets and online school due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
After more than a week in isolation, Tami and Tedd Handy get the chance to dance as Mama Coal, Carra Stasney and Tim O'Connor give a street concert on Placita de Zacatal in the Casas Adobes neighborhood, Saturday, March 28, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Mama Coal, Carra Stasney and Tim O'Connor take to the great outdoors along Moonshroud Dr., in Catalina Shadows, Saturday, March 28, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
Contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch at cburch@tucson.com or 573-4642. On Twitter @Starburch
In this Series
April's ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥-area coronavirus coverage: 1,200+ Pima County cases, stay-home order extended
Cathalena E. Burch
Reporter
