Businesses and restaurants across New York City have struggled to grapple with the effects of the pandemic, but those in Chinatown have been hit particularly hard, facing increased stigma due to the coronavirus, believed to have originated in Wuhan, China.

Welcome to Chinatown is a grassroots initiative working to support businesses in that community, while at the same time helping to serve those fighting on the front lines of the virus.

“It has been so disheartening,” says co-founder Victoria Lee, “seeing the decline in foot traffic, sales, and just overall energy in Chinatown since January.”

She says there has been a rise in anti-Asian discrimination, and for the first time she has sometimes felt unwelcome in her neighborhood.

Welcome to Chinatown has launched several programs, including one in which donations are used to deliver meals to essential workers made by local restaurants.

“It was our way of saying thank you to all of those that kept New York City running, kept New York City safe,” Lee says. “And then in turn for our restaurants, it allowed them to fill catering orders, so that was keeping some kind of consistent cash flow.”

Lee recommends people order takeout or eat outside at Chinatown restaurants when possible, and donate to their legacy fund, which provides grants to local businesses, at welcometochinatown.com

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