Dickey’s Barbecue Pit donating meals and supplies during coronavirus crisis

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Rancho Mirage is serving up a lot of support for our local community in these tough times. Lisa Weaver, the restaurant’s owner, is determined to help those in need. 

“When this first started I really started freaking out thinking oh my god what am I gonna do...mostly concerned with my employees because they have families to support,” said Weaver. 

Weaver says the restaurant is doing everything it can to keep their doors open for take out, delivery and now also donations. 

When she learned the National Guard was in town helping FIND Food Bank, the restaurant decided to donate meals. 

But they didn’t stop there -- Dickey’s is now offering a free lunch to anyone still working or in need. “Grocery store workers, healthcare...just anybody. I just send them free coupons for free sandwiches and ribs in the mail,” said Weaver. 

The restaurant also donated lunch to the California Highway Patrol. Officers there in turn, surprised them with a cash donation. Weaver is now putting that money towards feeding the COVID-Unit and ICU Unit at Eisenhower Hospital. 

Weaver says she made a post on Nextdoor.com, offering not only those free lunches but also supplies the restaurant had bought in bulk. “If somebody needs something I want them to have it,” she said. 

She says people began contacting her and donating money to help her cause: “This guy reached out and said I want to give a $500 donation so you can feed the healthcare workers.” 

That donor was Clark Hallren of Rancho Mirage. “Pay it forward, make it happen...we’ll all get through it,” said Hallren. 

Weaver is now using his donation along with generous donations of others to serve healthcare workers on the front lines every Sunday.