On a normal day, Dan’s Wellness Pharmacy sells over the counter medication and fills prescriptions.
But this past weekend, Dan Singh and his employees made trips to Costco to buy some food. The food was not for them, but was, rather, to offer a free lunch to those who have lost their jobs in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The lunch isn’t anything fancy. A hot dog, a salad, a granola bar, and a bottle of water. Simple things to things live on, Singh says. Some days, Singh and his crew may switch up the menu but many, they say, are just thankful for the kindness of a free meal.
A tent is set up in front of the pharmacy, located at 418 Garrisonville Road in North Stafford, where people can pull up in a car and pick up as many meals as they need for their families.
Between this past Monday and today, the pharmacy has distributed about 4o-50 meals to about as many people.
All told, Singh’s employees have spent $150 so far buying meals for the newfound jobless residents of the community. For those in need of meals, the pharmacy will distribute the food every day between 1-3 p.m.
The free meals come as Dan’s Pharmacy has seen a 65% drop in sales over the last few weeks during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Over 6.6 million people have filed unemployment claims after losing their jobs during the pandemic as of March 28, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Meanwhile, in Woodbridge, CVS Pharmacy stores will be donating Easter candy to the Hilda Barg Homeless Prevention Shelter on Route 1. The pharmacy plans give Reese’s, Dover, Ghirardelli, Hershey’s candies.
CVS says the candies will help families at the 30-bed shelter, operated by Northern Virginia Family Services, celebrate the upcoming holiday on Sunday.
