Matt Crawford, owner and operator of Hwy 55 – Wayne Memorial in Goldsboro, NC, has decided to provide a hot meal for every employee at the local hospital – Wayne UNC Health Care – on Easter Sunday.

Matt has owned the Wayne Memorial Hwy 55, one of the top stores in the company, for 8 years. Forever devoted to his local community, Matt has been known to graciously donate to local youth sports teams and other organizations throughout Wayne County.

It is no surprise that, in the wake of the COVID-19 impact in his community, Matt brainstormed how he could do some good. The impact has been far and wide, not excluding Matt himself. With Governor Cooper’s executive order to limit restaurants to takeout only, Hwy 55 had to adapt.

“Over 80% of our business is dine-in,” Matt says. “But our community has been unbelievable. They have supported us more than we could imagine. We are so thankful for the support we have seen, and we want to give back any way we can.”

That willingness to give back culminated in a plan to feed the entire hospital staff on Easter Sunday. The individuals on the front lines in our struggle to contain and eradicate this infection. With the help and support of other local Hwy 55s, including Princeton and Pikeville, as well as Amy Lancaster of the corporate office, all doctors, nurses, and anyone else working that day, morning and night shift, will receive a cheeseburger, chips, brownie, and tea or lemonade. Additionally, each meal will contain a handmade facemask made by a group of community women. Just another gesture for all of their hard work.

“It’s Easter, and we just want to pay it forward. All of the bags of food will be decorated by Hwy 55 staff with encouraging messages and pictures,” Matt says. “With all they are going through, this is the least we do.”