Newport's Scratch Kitchen Helps Celtics Star Feed Hospital Staff

NEWPORT, RI — One of Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart's favorite lines throughout his six years in the NBA has been: "I love Boston. And Boston loves me."

Now the longest-tenured Celtic player is spreading that love throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island at a time the region needs it most amid the coronavirus health crisis with the help of Newport's Scratch Kitchen.

The Newport restaurant is one of four preparing meals for Smart's YounGameChanger Foundation's goal of providing 425 meals for front-line workers at four New England Hospitals serving young patients.

Scratch Kitchen will join Prepped Gainz of Everett, MA, Arya Trattoria of Boston's North End, and Tallulah's Taqueria and Nick's on Broadway in Providence in providing health-conscious meals to Boston Children's Hospital, Tufts Floating Hospital and Hasbro Children's Hospital.

Smart was diagnosed with the new coronavirus when the season was suspended on March 11 and has since recovered — declaring himself "Corona Free" — after saying he was asymptomatic.

"I was planning several hospital visits to see some young patients and then became sick with COVID-19 myself," Smart said. "I wanted to show my support for essential workers who are focused on caring for their community at a time of need. Together with everyone involved, we created healthy meals to keep them going."

The food preparations and deliveries will take place throughout this week.

"I truly hope these small contributions help them stay strong and feel appreciated in this time of uncertainty," Smart said.

Smart has also launched a program through his YounGameChangerFoundation where all money raised through May 16 will be directed toward feeding front-line workers at hospitals throughout New England. Donations can be made here.

Smart's foundation, supported with the help of basketball camps in Waltham, MA and his native Texas each summer, provides families with seriously ill and chronically ill children with life-changing experiences, and to be a voice of motivation, empowerment and encouragement to inner-city youth to be game-changers off the court or field.

(If you have a story of a local business or organization that is looking to lend a hand to those in need during the new coronavirus pandemic,or lift spirits amid social distancing and isolation, Patch wants to let people in your community know about it. Contact Scott Souza at Scott.Souza@patch.com to help us spread the positives during this uncertain time.)

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