toscanos responds to challenges with renewed community involvement

During the winter when restaurant dining rooms were shut down because of COVID, Toscanos Italian Grill in Puyallup, like other restaurants, began to serve family-style, takeout and curbside meals. This became a successful formula for keeping the business going and its staff employed. Toscanos also began a practice of giving back to the community by preparing meals for local healthcare workers and first responders.

The challenging years of 2020 and 2021 brought many changes to Toscanos. But through all that change, the restaurant has rekindled its core belief in supporting the community.

After an extensive renovation, Toscanos reopened its dining room and bar in the spring. Soon their sun-splashed patio reopened and things seemed to be returning to something like normal. But as summer continued, the stress and pressure placed on understaffed healthcare workers mounted. Toscanos responded with more meals for these heroes. And on Labor Day, to honor their 17th anniversary, Toscanos provided lunch for the entire staff at Good Samaritan Hospital.

After a conversation with Good Samaritan’s leadership, the Toscanos ownership and management team felt and heard the struggles of local healthcare workers that they still need the community’s support. The hospital staff is exhausted both physically and emotionally and they really need to know that the community is behind them. Toscanos is seeking help from their restaurant guests by participating in a promotion called #Meals4Heroes.

Diners at Toscanos can add a donation in any denomination to their guest check. The public can donate to #Meals4Heroes by simply calling 253.864.8600. The donations will go directly to providing food and supplies needed to prepare and distribute take-out meals for local healthcare professionals. Toscanos staff will prepare and distribute the meals. And when the donation goal of $10,000 is reached, Toscanos will add an additional $5000.

Toscanos dining room, bar and even business model may have changed during this past pandemic year. But the restaurant’s commitment to community has only grown stronger. vMORGAN LUCAS

For Additional Information toscanospuyallup.com

SHOWCASE MAGAZINE 29