WATCH: Founder Of Huntington Hospital Meals Town Woman Of Year

HUNTINGTON, NY —Theresa Sullivan from Huntington was honored last week as Huntington town's "Woman of the Year" for her grassroots efforts to feed hospital staff during the pandemic. Sullivan founded Huntington Hospital Meals in March and her idea—centered around Facebook fundraising to order food from local restaurants to feed the hard-working staff—took off.

By the end of eight weeks, over six thousand members joined the Facebook group, $180,000 dollars were raised, and up to 5,000 meals were delivered to Huntington Hospital per week.

The innovative idea, which helped local restaurants as well as the healthcare workers slammed by the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, inspired 24 copycat groups nationally. The group's work was featured on CNN and NBC News.

Huntington Town Councilman Mark Cuthbertson presented Sullivan with her award in a YouTube video last week.

"This was a huge undertaking," Cuthbertson said. "You're a big part of what makes the town of Huntington such a great place to live."

"It takes a team" Sullivan said, thanking the volunteers who joined with her to accomplish the major effort and the community of Huntington.