This media writing page features a reporting project. The project included gathering information about the offer as well as exploring reactions of the generosity to essential workers. I saw all of my hard work come into action while writing in many styles. I chose to write a print news story, a radio SOT story, and lastly a two-column broadcast package script.

Print News Story:

 Paco’s Tacos is offering free tacos to essential workers during this crisis

Paco’s Tacos is currently offering free tacos to medical professionals and other essential workers on the front line during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Paco’s Tacos is in effort to support the Newport community and thank the people working hard to fight against the pandemic. Giving back and paying forward is very important to the company especially after they received so much community support in the wake of a traffic accident that damaged the restaurant in 2019. 

The restaurant’s offer is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays in May from 11am until close. Customers can order online or by phone call. To qualify for the free taco, simply click the “Essential Worker” box in the online order form or tell the team member who takes your phone call that you are working on the front lines. Then, show your work ID badge when you pick up the order. Curbside pick-up is available if you call when you get to the restaurant. It’s that simple!

The restaurant employs about 50 people, but due to social distancing restrictions the restaurant has been operating with a reduced staff. Currently, there are usually just four people on one shift to ensure the safety of both employees and customers. A number of employees have been furloughed, but they are also receiving free meals. Paco’s Tacos is providing for their employees and the community! The restaurant is stepping up by going above and beyond during this crisis.

Proprietor Ivan “Paco” Schwartz said, “As this crisis developed, I knew I wanted to find some way to help my community. I thought, what can I do? Well, I make a mean taco. Good food makes people happy. So, this is my little way of saying thanks – with tacos.” Paco’s Tacos is a local Newport restaurant that was opened in January of 2015. The menu has a wide range from Baja fish tacos to a 3-meat burrito called the “Big Paco.” Schwartz also said, “We miss our employees and can’t wait to welcome them back full time. But my top priority is keeping them and all of our customers healthy.”

Furloughed Paco’s Tacos server Pat Collins said, “I’ve worked at Paco’s for about 2 years and I hate being away from the restaurant. Everybody who works here is just like family. I know Paco wants to hire us all back as soon as he can. And I really appreciate the free meals. I wasn’t at all surprised when Paco announced the free tacos for medical professionals. That’s exactly the sort of caring individual he is.”

Paco’s Tacos is offering free tacos to essential workers

Reporter

Runtime: 01:50:00

Radio SOT Story:

Lead: TODAY WE WILL BE INTERVIEWING ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND GATHERING THEIR REACTIONS TO THE GENEROSITY OF PACO’S TACOS.

Reporter: THAT’S RIGHT… MANY NEWPORT ESSENTIAL WORKERS ARE EXPRESSING GRADITUDE TO PROPRIETER IVAN “PACO” SCHWARTZ. 

HEALTHCARE WORKERS ARE ON THE FRONTLINE DURING THIS PANDEMIC. AT TIMES, THIS CAN BE STRESSFUL, TIRING, AND SCARY. NURSING HOMES ACROSS THE NATION HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY HIT HARD BY THIS PANDEMIC. SARAH STRINGFELD, CNA AT THE VILLAGE HOUSE NURSING AND REHABILITATION, PARTOOK IN THE FREE TACOS. STINGFELD PICKED UP AN ORDER FROM PACO’S AFTER FINISHING HER SHIFT. 

SOT: “It’s definitely a stressful time. We haven’t had any COVID cases at Village House, thank God!  We’ve been really lucky, especially since so many of the deaths in Rhode Island have been associated with nursing homes. Everyone in the medical community is 100% focused on working through this crisis, so not having to worry about dinner for one night… it might be a small thing, but it can still be a huge help.” 

Reporter: SAM SHIRAKAWA, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC OUTREACH AT NEWPORT HOSPITAL, EXTENDED GRATITUDE FROM HIMSELF AND THE STAFF 

SOT: “On behalf of all the doctors, nurses and support staff working around the clock, I thank Mr. Schwartz for extending this generous offer of free tacos. We’ve been so heartened by the outpouring of support from our community. So many local businesses are calling us up with offers like this. It’s great. Newport Hospital is proud to be a valuable part of this historical coastal community. Once this crisis has passed, I hope we can enjoy a taco together.”

SOC: “FOR NEWPORT NEXT, IM KATIE BURKE. THANKS FOR TUNING IN! STAY SAFE!”

Two-Column Broadcast Package Script

00:00-00:17 Anchor	WELCOME TO NEWPORT NEXT. OUR TOP STORY TONIGHT IS THE GENEROSITY BEING EXPRESSED FROM LOCAL RESTAURANTS. TO START OFF THE NEWS TONIGHT, KATIE BURKE WILL BE INTERVIEWING BONNIE BERKMAN, THE CHAPTER PRESIDENT OF NEWPORT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
00:18-00:26 Reporter	THAT’S RIGHT! WHEN VIDEO CHATTING WITH BERKMAN, SHE EXPLAINED THAT EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A DIFFICULT TIME, EVERYONE IS DOING THE BEST THAT THEY CAN TO HELP.
00:27-00:54 SOT Bonnie Berkman	“NEWPORT BUSINESSES ARE STEPPING UP IN THIS CRISIS. WE’RE SEEING A LOT OF LOCAL SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS FINDING INNOVATIVE WAYS TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT’S GREAT.  WE HOPE EVERYONE’S FAVORITE NEWPORT BUSINESSES WILL BE REOPENING THEIR DOORS TO THE PUBLIC VERY SOON, AND WHEN THEY DO, I KNOW THE LOCALS AND TOURISTS ALIKE WILL BE FLOCKING BACK TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT AND GET A GOOD MEAL.”
00:55-01:06 Reporter	WHEN INTERVIEWING IVAN “PACO” SCHWARTZ, OWNER OF PACO’S TACOS, HE EXPLAINED THE REASON BEHIND HIS FREE TACOS OFFER.
01:07-01:25 SOT Ivan “Paco” Schwartz	“AS THIS CRISIS DEVELOPED, I KNEW I WANTED TO FIND SOME WAY TO HELP MY COMMUNITY. I THOUGHT, WHAT CAN I DO? WELL, I MAKE A MEAN TACO. GOOD FOOD MAKES PEOPLE HAPPY. SO, THIS IS MY LITTLE WAY OF SAYING THANKS.”
01:26-01:39 Reporter	WHEN INTERVIEWING NELLIE TOMASINI, OWNER OF NELLIE’S DELI, SHE EXPLAINED HOW THEY ARE HOPING TO ALSO DO SPECIAL OFFERS FOR MEDICAL WORKERS BUT HAVEN’T GOTTEN THERE YET.
01:40-02:06 SOT Nellie Tomasini	“WE’RE DOING A BRISK TAKEOUT BUISNESS, WHICH IS GREAT. IT’S WONDERFUL THAT RESTAURANTS ARE DOING SPECIAL OFFERS FOR MEDICAL WORKERS. THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS IS AN INDUSTRY THAT KNOWS HOW TO STEP UP. IT’S DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT WE’D LIKE TO DO, IF THIS SITUATION CONTINUES, BUT RIGHT NOW WE’RE FOCUSING OUR ENERGIES ON KEEPING UP WITH THE TAKEOUT ORDERS.”
02:07-02:10 Anchor	THANKS KATIE. THAT IS ALL FOR TONIGHT… STAY SAFE.