Montclair Restaurant Thanks Local Sanitation Workers With Lunch

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair restaurant Ray’s Luncheonette and Essex County Freeholder President Brendan Gill recently offered a thank-you to some of the “unsung heroes” of the coronavirus pandemic: the town’s sanitation workers.

Last week, Gill helped to spearhead an event at the Refuse Recycling and Bulk Waste Community Services Building in tribute to the Montclair Sanitation Department.

Ray’s Luncheonette offered its own show of gratitude to the town’s sanitation workers, too … dozens of tasty lunches on the house.

According to Gill:

“Sanitation workers are extremely important to the cleanliness and order of our communities. Yet in many respects, they have been overlooked and have not received the proper recognition for their service. In Montclair, the sanitation workers have not missed a beat. They have continued to do their job, and do it well. This lunch was just a small gesture to show them they are appreciated, and we do recognize their service as frontline essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Gill said the event was also held to support local businesses such as Ray’s Luncheonette, which need support now more than ever.

• See related article: Montclair Business Guide (What's Open, Closed During Coronavirus?)

Angelica Flores, a former waitress of the restaurant who purchased the business in 2018 from Usredo Molina, said the event filled her with joy and pride.

“I was very happy to take part in feeding our sanitation workers today,” Flores enthused.

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