School's Closed, But 'Lunch Lady' Feeds Kids: Patch Heroes

GUILFORD, CT — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Brittany Mirles who nominated her neighbor Wendy Guadagno.

Name of the nominee:
Wendy Guadagno

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?:
No

What does the nominee do for work?:
Elementary school lunch lady

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?
Wendy is a lunch lady at one of the local elementary schools, and even though the schools are closed, there are still many children who receive meals and Wendy is one of the workers who helps ensure kids get lunch.

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?:
How incredible is Wendy cannot be measured. Even though her shifts are longer and are recognized by few, the work she is doing is so needed and she continues to do it with a smile and an infectious laugh day after day.

Editor's note: Breakfast and lunch meal kits are available to all children in Guilford 18 or younger with no reference of status or income and changing the status of our workers to essential.

>> Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.

All photos included in this post are owned by identified third parties who have given Patch the right to use explicitly for the Patch Local Heroes series.