Law & Order: SVU star Stephanie March is stepping up to help out two groups who have been majorly impacted by the coronavirus crisis.
The 45-year-old actress has joined forces with her friend, photographer Melanie Dunea, on a new initiative that benefits both the ailing restaurant industry as well as those on the front lines of fighting COVID-19.
Treats Help is a GoFundMe where the money goes directly to bakeries and restaurants to pay for food which is then taken right to hospitals in the five New York City boroughs.
Doing her part: Stephanie March as joined forces with her friend, photographer Melanie Dunea, on Treats Help, a new initiative that benefits both the ailing restaurant industry as well as those on the front lines of fighting COVID-19
‘We were trying to find a way to support two groups of people,’ Stephanie explained.
‘The people in the restaurant community who are really suffering and the people on the front lines in the medical community who are working their tails off, often without breaks, food, financial remuneration and worried about their own families.’
She and Melanie came up with the concept for Treats Help as a way to be able to serve these two deserving groups who are each grossly negatively impacted from the COVID-19 global pandemic.
‘The idea is to buy food from bakeries and restaurants in New York that can then be safely delivered to people working on the front lines of hospitals,’ the actress said.
Stepping up: Treats Help is a GoFundMe where the money goes directly to bakeries and restaurants involved to pay for food which is then right to hospitals
‘We were trying to find a way to support two groups of people,’ Stephanie explained. ‘The people in the restaurant community who are really suffering and the people on the front lines in the medical community who are working their tails off’
‘So you boost morale and give support on one side and you financially help people who might not make it through this on the other,’ she added.
The actress, most famous for playing Alexandra Cabot on Law & Order: SVU, explained that they’re planning to be able to keep this fund up and running for as long as it takes.
‘These people who are working on the front lines are so stressed,’ she said. ‘You know, originally we had said we would do it through the end of April and now I think we’re looking at extending it for a few more months because it’s just sort of uncertain right now.’
The cause is near and dear to Stephanie’s heart because she has friends putting themselves at risk right now by working on the front lines.
‘The idea is to buy food from bakeries and restaurants in New York that can then be safely delivered to people working on the front lines of hospitals,’ the actress said
‘These people who are working on the front lines are so stressed,’ she said. ‘You know, originally we had said we would do it through the end of April and now I think we’re looking at extending it for a few more months because it’s just sort of uncertain right now.’
‘I can’t say this without getting a little emotional. We could have done and should have done better by those people,’ she said.
‘They are working so hard to save lives. And, on behalf of so many of us who are appalled at the situation, we are sorry, we are grateful and we would like to help.’
Currently March is home and healthy in self-quarantine at her place several miles outside of New York City.
Many family members closest to her and her husband, like in-laws and parents in their 70s and 80s are also healthy which is something she is very grateful for.
Hunkering down: The actress, most famous for playing Alexandra Cabot on Law & Order: SVU, is home and healthy in self-quarantine at her place several miles outside of New York City
Lighten the mood: For people who are a bit down during quarantine Stephanie recommends sitting down to watch her film The Social Ones – a comedy about social media influencers
However, she has been feeling a ‘little blue’ after so long in isolation, a feeling many can relate to at the moment. ‘I’m getting better,’ she said, adding: ‘you get cranky.’
For people who are also a bit down, Stephanie recommends sitting down to watch her film The Social Ones – a comedy about social media influencers.
‘I’m really happy that we made something that’s silly and funny and sweet. It’s not mean, but it’s a little bit pointed and I think that’s that’s about right for right now,’ she quipped.
The Social Ones is currently out on streaming platforms and to donate to Treats Help, visit the GoFundMe.
The details: The Social Ones is currently out on streaming platforms and to donate to Treats Help, visit the GoFundMe