Yonkers Downtown Takeout Week seeks to boost restaurants hurt by pandemic

The hospitality industry has suffered greatly during the pandemic, and restaurants and bars across the Hudson Valley have taken a big hit.           
That's why Westchester's largest city is doing what it can to help out by supporting the first-ever Yonkers Downtown Takeout Week
The initiative, sponsored by the Yonkers Downtown Business Improvement District, features 11 restaurants who are doing the annual restaurant week but with a twist.
Each restaurant has created customized takeout packages for $20 and $40, and special menu items from all different types of cuisines - everything from Mexican to Irish to pizza.
The takeout options vary by restaurant and you can still eat in if you'd like.
These deals are available by phone only, there's no apps.
Business owners say they're really hoping this will help because it has been so difficult to stay afloat. “We went from having 30-35 people working for us to literally zero. Every day I pray for my people that work for me because I know that they need this job," says Robert Rosario, owner of Guapo Mexican Restaurant.  
"We really want to encourage people to feel comfortable if they're following the safety guidelines, they can come out to shop and to dine," says Sarah Brody, executive director of the Yonkers Downtown BID.
Yonkers Downtown Takeout Week runs from today through Feb. 6.
For a list of participating restaurants, click here.