NEW YORK - Luigi Militello owns Luke's Bar and Grill on the Upper East Side, a mainstay on Third Avenue and 79th Street for 30 years.

While the grill has stayed hot since COVID-19 relentlessly hit the city in March, he fears another shutdown of indoor dining and dwindling business for outdoor dining during the winter months will spell even more trouble for the neighborhood favorite he runs.

“Everyone has spent an awful lot of money trying to winterize their roadway dining, but when it's 32 degrees and windy, no one is going to be sitting out there," Militello said.

Despite the struggles, Militello is resuming an effort that began in the spring to cook food for first responders and frontline workers, called NYC Stronger Together.

It was originally funded by a group of Luke’s regulars Mike "Red" Walsh, to honor bartender Joe Carey. The man who Militello refers to as “a real New York bartender” passed away suddenly on St. Patrick's Day 2019. A get together to remember Carey this past St. Patrick's Day didn't happen, as bars were closed due to Coronavirus restrictions.

"We couldn't have the celebration of his life on March 17th, so 20 patrons got together and we were going to spend money here in Joe's honor on St. Patrick's Day, and we raised that first $2,000 and we said let's buy meals from Luigi and feed the first responders," Walsh said.

The campaign raised tens of thousands of dollars from supporters locally and all over the world, providing meals for workers at nearby hospitals, plus Fire, Police and EMS. First Responders and Frontline Workers benefit, but Militello says so does Luke’s.

“We just wanted to give something back as well as keeping our staff functioning, not at 100 percent, but as much as we can," Militello said.

The new phase of this campaign is expected to last through the holiday season. Militello has this message for New Yorkers as the new year approaches.

"Support small business, we will be here for you when it's over, and thank you for being here for us," Militello said.

Find out more about the campaign at LukesBarandGrill.com.