Sam and Dena Lombardo connect the Lancaster community with the New York City-based God’s Love We Deliver, which provides seriously ill people with nutritious meals.
Dena and Sam Lombardo hosted the event that served as a benefit for God’s Love We Deliver.
New York, New York – known for its toughness, gruffness and every-man-for-himself attitude. And yet, there’s another side to this gritty metropolis. Meet God’s Love We Deliver – a non-sectarian organization dedicated to delivering nutritious, high-quality meals to seriously ill people who are unable to provide or prepare meals for themselves. Started in 1985 in response to HIV/AIDS patients who were too ill to cook for themselves, God’s Love We Deliver now has 23,000+ volunteers who serve cancer patients and other seriously ill individuals, delivering over 4 million meals a year – and, it is all free of charge to the recipients.
One hundred sixty-five miles away, from the rolling farmland of Lancaster County, there is a direct connection to this shining example of humanitarian effort in the Big Apple: Sam and Dena Lombardo. Growing up in Lancaster’s Cabbage Hill, the self-described “bootstrap entrepreneur” started his adulthood serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. Some rough-and-tough jobs wrangling heavy equipment for PP&L and welding for RCA eventually led Sam to the industry that offered him his lifetime career opportunity, insurance.
Stephen Covello (God’s Love We Deliver chief philanthropy officer), Dena and Sam Lombardo, chef Amanda Freitag, and David Ludwigson (God’s Love We Deliver president and CEO).
Creativity, determination, risk-taking and an entrepreneurial talent for spotting a niche opportunity in the healthcare insurance industry sparked Sam’s vision for developing a new way for municipalities, banks, independent colleges and eventually other businesses to provide health insurance for their employees. Thirty-some years later, Sam has divested most of his ownership of his legacy company – Benecon – where he remains chairman emeritus. Now he enjoys dividing his time among Lancaster, Lititz, Vero Beach and New York.
When staying at their Brooklyn condo in Dumbo (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), Dena relies on a personal shopper, James, to streamline her shopping experiences. It was James who shared his enthusiasm for God’s Love We Deliver. To Dena, it sounded like an amazing organization that was doing extraordinary work. Sam agreed. “We loved what God’s Love We Deliver did,” says Dena. “Every person we met in the organization was so wonderful. Their mission and the people drew us in.”
Roasted peach salad of prosciutto, pistachio and Stracciatella
With the Lombardo family’s 78-year-old restaurant now under Sam’s ownership and management, the energized couple saw the opportunity to bring awareness of God’s Love We Deliver to the generous Lancaster community and make the connection.
It began in 2023 with a fundraiser featuring a five-course dinner served at Lombardo’s for about 100 guests. But not just any dinner. God’s Love We Deliver is blessed with the support of many outstanding, high-profile chefs, some of whom serve on its board of directors. Michael Anthony, executive chef of the renowned Gramercy Tavern, and God’s Love board member, served as guest chef for the event, working with Lombardo’s culinary team to deliver an exceptional dining experience.
Celebrity chef, Amanda Freitag, with Lombardo’s head chef, Shawn McKinney, and the waitstaff.
The heartfelt connection between Lancaster and God’s Love was cemented, and in July 2024, a second sold-out event brought loyal patrons and new supporters to the dinner, this time led by celebrity chef and cookbook author, Amanda Freitag.
The five-course dinner entailed roasted peach salad with prosciutto and pistachio; garganelli pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes, arugula and corn; seared swordfish in green peppercorn butter; lamb shoulder with black garlic local yogurt and smashed cucumber; and, with a sweet nod to Lancaster County, a red velvet whoopie pie dressed up for the occasion in dark chocolate sauce.
Guests received tote bags from God’s Love We Deliver.
Uplifting news was shared about God’s Love We Deliver’s outreach, its ever-growing need for funding and the leadership’s appreciation of Dena and Sam for creating the memorable event, whose proceeds will help God’s Love continue their daunting mission. “This event is a true testament to the power of community,” said Stephen Covello, God’s Love’s chief philanthropy officer. “Our heartfelt thanks go out to Sam and Dena, whose hospitality set the stage for an unforgettable evening.”
Lamb shoulder with black garlic local yogurt, smashed cucumber and sumac salad.
Even sweeter than the evening’s whoopie pie ending was a surprise performance by award-winning pianist-singer-composer, Billy Stritch, who entertained the crowd with an intimate New York cabaret-style performance. Hearts warmed by friendships, food and good deeds done, guests were treated to one more takeaway – signed copies of Amanda Freitag’s cookbook.
Whoopie pies await their turn to shine.
Lombardo’s Restaurant is located at 216 Harrisburg Avenue in Lancaster. For more information, visit lombardosrestaurant.com. For more information about God’s Love We Deliver, visit GLWD.org.
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