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LOWELL, MA - Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) recognized Stevie Dembro, a Marlborough resident and owner of Stevie’s Back Road Café in Hudson, in her Local Heroes Spotlight initiative. Stevie has been committed to serving his community and making hot meals accessible to those in need during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Since the early days of this pandemic, Stevie has always put the most vulnerable in his community first. His pay-it-forward meal program has kept hungry families fed and created a wave of generosity from his patrons. To this day, the wall of meal slips in Stevie’s restaurant is covered with receipts from free meals for folks in need - a testament to how contagious kindness can be when a hero like Stevie leads the way. I’m honored to highlight him as a local hero we can all be proud of,” said Congresswoman Trahan.

“Today’s conditions are no different than the children that currently live in shelters. Nobody asked to be born into this and nobody asked for their lives to come to a grinding stop. But sometimes you are forced into a situation financially and people need to step up to the plate - and I know I am not the only one in our community stepping up to help out other people,” said Stevie Dembro. 

Stevie was nominated by a patron of his restaurant, Maureen, a Hudson resident. He established his restaurant in 2010 and has been feeding the community ever since. As the COVID-19 outbreak worsened, Stevie decided to adapt to the conditions by making every item on his menu $5.00. He also gave customers the option to purchase meals for future patrons and has created a wall of receipts from which a person going to place their order can grab a prepaid receipt and get a hot meal for free - thanks to the generosity of others.

Stevie grew up in government housing in Boston and saw firsthand just how much charity can change lives. He has made it a priority of his to always do what he can for charities and nonprofits. Each year since 2000, he participates in Christmas in the City, an organization that gives back to those living in shelters in Boston. Stevie explained that his love for charity was born through his work for Christmas in the City and that it is what inspired him to launch his free meals program for the greater Hudson community.

Trahan will continue to spotlight heroes who, like Stevie, have gone above and beyond to serve their community during this difficult time. Those interested in nominating a hero in their lives can do so by clicking here. Trahan will announce additional Heroes Spotlight awardees each week.

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