Community Regional Medical Center employees were treated to Sam's Italian Deli on Wednesday thanks to a donation from EECU. Photos by Ben Hensley

Community Regional Medical Center staff received free meals donated by Educational Employees Credit Union on Wednesday. EECU also donated meals to employees at Clovis Community Medical Center on Tuesday, totaling 750 meals between the two sites.

EECU donated the funds and Sam’s Italian Deli and Market in Fresno provided the meals to employees in typically behind-the-scenes departments, including employee health, various labs, environmental services and bed control.

The meals arrived at noon on Wednesday, with representatives collecting and distributing food to their respective departments.

“It really is to try and help our employees, and remind them that people out there care about them,” said Katie Zenovich, senior vice president of development and external affairs.

Zenovich went on to explain that the employees in these areas have been working behind-the-scenes for nearly two years, and have had to face the difficulties of hospital work during a pandemic — in addition to the challenges they regularly face as health care workers.

“They’ve been doing that for almost two years, which is an elevated level of work,” Zenovich said. “It’s just a moment to pause and say, ‘You know what — we haven’t forgotten you. We know you’re doing this, and we appreciate you.’”

According to Zenovich, many of the labs that handle testing — not only for the pandemic, but in general — are often forgotten by the public due to being isolated from the rest of the generally accessible areas of the hospital. 

“Today, we made sure that those who are our unsung heroes — still health care heroes — were told how much people care,” Zenovich said.

Each meal donated was individually prepared for the employees by Sam’s Deli.

“The nice thing about it is, we do this through a monetary donation from the business — which was EECU — then we purchase through our sustain program,” Zenovich said. “The local hospital benefits, the local business, [which] is part of the community benefits and the local restaurant is supported.” 

At Community Regional Medical Center’s website, donations can also be made through the Show You Care page, where individuals or businesses can make a one-time donation, or set a monthly amount to donate to the Community Medical Center’s network of facilities.