Irwin restaurant owner donates lunch to police, EMS service
Restaurants across the state may be limited to takeout and delivery services only, but that isn’t stopping Sam Murray, an Irwin restaurant owner, from donating to first responders.
On Friday, Murray prepared fish tacos for North Huntingdon police officers as a way to give back to those working on the front lines as the coronavirus continues to spread.
“Before having a taco and farmer’s markets, I was in community service and it’s just very important to be a part of because we’re all in this together,” Murray said, noting that he previously worked as a probation officer and deputy sheriff in Los Angeles. “This is truly what it’s like to be an American.”
Murray, with the help of his assistant manager, Emma Muoio, also is donating lunches to the Irwin Police Department and North Huntingdon EMS.
“It is nice when you see the businesses reach out to the first responders,” said North Huntingdon Police Chief Robert Rizzo. “Guys are out there every day in this interesting world we’re living in right now, so the stress on this is a little bit more.”
Murray, along with his wife, also are making facemasks that can be used by community members. The free masks can be picked up at Salsa Sam’s, 724-863-1097. Murray asks that people who receive a mask contribute to the Westmoreland County Food Bank.
Several businesses have rallied together to provide services to local police, fire and ambulance services in the midst of the pandemic.
Rizzo noted that North Huntingdon-based Auto Medics offered free car cleanings for North Huntingdon and Irwin patrol vehicles this week. Another company, ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburgh, will provide a similar service for North Huntingdon officers next week.
In March, North Huntingdon residents Thu Tran and her sister, Landai Bui, who own T&T Nails of Broadway Boulevard, Monroeville, donated 150 surgical masks for use by the township’s fire, police and emergency medical services personnel.
While Murray hopes the supplies and meals help first responders through the pandemic, he also hopes the donations act as a bright spot in their days.
“I see the strain of people who come into my shop,” he said. “They come at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., just to get out of their house and talk to me and have a Mexican coke and a taco.
“Our health is by far the most important and then, of course, financially, and then when the two mix together you have the devil’s triangle that can affect your mental health. We may be in this for the long haul. Everybody just be safe.”
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.