In this video, Paul Meyers of Clark Communications in North Bay interviews Michael Costakos about their initiative to support local business and frontline workers.

In this video, Paul Meyers of Clark Communications in North Bay interviews Michael Costakos about their initiative to support local business and frontline workers.

With the recent "shelter in place" policy due to COVID-19, business owners across the country are affected in ways they have never prepared for. We are interviewing local North Bay area business owners/entrepreneurs and organizations, giving them the opportunity to share how they are adapting their business model(s) and strategies to meet the current constraints that their businesses must operate within.

☕️ Grab a coffee and take a listen.

HOMEGROWN BUSINESSMEN TO DONATE HUNDREDS OF MEALS TO FRONTLINE WORKERS WHILE SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES IN NORTH BAY

Michael Costakos, Paul Ricci, and their families show gratitude to hometown heroes. The Costakos and Ricci families are donating hundreds of prepared lunches over the next several weeks to the North Bay Regional Health Centre frontline healthcare workers. The meals will be distributed to staff working in areas of senior care and mental health at the hospital. The program will provide 50 weekly lunches for distribution to the hospital commencing on Friday, May 29, 2020, and will continue into the month of July.

Michael and Paul, childhood friends, grew up in North Bay and although currently reside in Toronto, still consider North Bay home. “We wanted to give back to a wonderful community that gave us so much. We are North Bayites through and through and have wonderful memories of growing up in such a special place.” At the suggestion of Michael’s sixteen-year-old son Anthony Costakos, the idea to provide the meals was the perfect opportunity to show appreciation to those heroes that are on the frontlines. With the assistance of Anthony’s parents, Michael and Mary Costakos, and their daughter Kaitlyn, the family was able to put a plan in place to coordinate and execute the meal program. Michael reached out to Paul, owner of Par Print Group, to provide some printing services and Paul immediately agreed and went further to pledge his financial support to the program. Paul, his wife Kelly, and boys Matt & Ryan were fully on board and excited about the initiative.

"With such deep roots in North Bay, our families feel a responsibility to support our frontline community workers with a nourishing meal to express our gratitude. We couldn’t be more grateful for those on the frontlines making daily sacrifices to fight the coronavirus. While no donation amount could truly express our full appreciation, we hope that it provides a moment of relief. Some of my fondest memories growing up in North Bay involved neighbors helping each other and having a sense of community; it’s something that resonates with us even today,” said Michael and Paul.

It is Michael and Paul’s hope that this meal program can be expanded by offering it more times per week. To accomplish this, we are encouraging fellow businesses including former or residing North Bayites that share our affinity for this great city to step forward and help contribute to keeping this program going and, in the process, help hard-hit small businesses such as restaurants. “Our goal is to create more awareness and rally the community in support of North Bay’s dedicated health care professionals that serve daily on the frontlines as well as to support our small businesses. We want to continually thank them and we need to take care of them.”

“The hospital foundation has been extremely supportive and accommodative and we appreciate all their efforts in helping us coordinate this meal program,” said Michael.

“Our frontline healthcare workers are incredibly grateful for this kind and generous donation. The support and appreciation they are receiving for the care and compassion they are providing to patients and their families are nourishing their morale during this stressful and unprecedented time. Thank you to the Costakos and Ricci families for also having an impact on our local businesses,” said Tammy Morison, President, and CEO, North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation.

For more information on how you can help continue the meal program, please contact:

Meaghan Byrnes
Development Officer
(705) 492-8790


Michael Costakos
mcostakos2@gmail.com


Paul Ricci
pricci@parprintgroup.com