A local Newport business is offering a ray of light in these dark times, and it comes in the form of a taco.
Contact: Addison Timmermann
Public Relations Coordinator 781-987-4355 (cell)
addison.timmermann@salve.edu (email)
April 28, 2020 For Immediate Release
Free tacos! Now that I have your attention, yes, it’s true.
Paco’s Tacos in Newport is offering free tacos to medical professionals and others essential workers on the front lines during the COVID-19 crisis. Owner, Ivan “Paco” Schwartz is passionate about supporting the Newport community and thanking those working hard to battle the pandemic.
If you want to participate, you can order online or by phone, Tuesdays and Thursdays in May from 11 a.m. until close. To qualify for the free taco go to www.pacostacos.com and simply click the “Essential Worker” box on the form or tell the team member who takes your call that you are working on the front lines. When you arrive, have your ID badge ready, stay in your vehicle and call 401-909-TACO. Your order will be brought out to you.
“As this crisis developed, I knew I wanted to find some way to help my community,” said Schwartz. “Good food makes people happy. So, this is my little way of saying thanks.”
Paco’s Tacos employs about 50 people. However, due to social distancing restrictions, the restaurant has been operating with a reduced staff, usually just four on any given shift. A number of employees have been furloughed, but Schwartz is taking care of them by providing free meals.
Pat Collins, one of the furloughed employees, wasn’t at all surprised when Schwartz announced the free tacos for medical professionals. “That’s exactly the sort of caring individual he is,” he said.
“We miss our employees and can’t wait to welcome them back full time,” said Schwartz. “But my top priority is keeping them and all of our customers healthy.” This attention to customer satisfaction had paid off for the restaurant. Paco’s Tacos won “Best Tex-Mex” in Newport Daily News’ annual reader poll in 2016, 2017 and 2019. The local gem has a 5-star average on Yelp with 523 reviews. “What we’re dealing with is nowhere near as challenging as what doctors and nurses are facing every day. So, yeah, I just want to say thanks – with tacos,” Schwartz said.
This pandemic is a threat for many small businesses as well as the healthcare community, says Bonnie Berkman, chapter president of the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce, but everyone is pulling together. “Newport businesses are stepping up in this crisis. We’re seeing a lot of local shops and restaurants finding innovative ways to support the community, and that’s great,” she said.
Sam Shirakawa, director of Public Outreach at Newport Hospital, is grateful for Schwartz’s act of kindness. “On behalf of all the doctors, nurses, and support staff working around the clock, I thank Mr. Schwartz for extending this generous offer of free tacos,” he said. “We’ve been so heartened by the outpouring of support from our community.”
Shirakawa added a personal message for Schwartz, one we all can relate to: “Once this crisis has passed, I hope we can enjoy a taco together.”
Paco’s Tacos Mexican restaurant opened in 2015 and is located at 63 Nicoli Avenue in Newport.
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This piece demonstrates my ability to properly format and write a press release. I followed the inverted pyramid structure and used a catchy lead to keep my readers interested in the story.
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