Christina Nelson, employee of La Stella Italian Market in Newtown, sought a tangible way to thank local law enforcement officers. Given her food-service experience, doing something meal related seemed natural. Jenn Frederick of FOX29 Philadelphia covered the clever result.

Nelson knew that a group-meal thank you wouldn’t work, given officers’ busy schedules. Instead, she devised a GoFundMe campaign, Fuel the Force.

Using online donated funds, Nelson established a floating gift card arrangement at La Stella. It enables officers to come in at any time, enjoy a meal, and return to duty with no bill to pay.

She sees the program as a way to “…connect the community with law enforcement and to nurture and foster a positive relationship,” she said.

The program now encompasses three additional in-county restaurants:

• Tre Frattelli, Langhorne
• Villa Rosa Pizza & Restaurant, Yardley
• Colonial Farms Gourmet Foods, Washington Crossing

Nelson sees it as a way to “care for the people who make us safe. These guys need to feel love and supported.

“I feel the best way to do that is for the community to have a way to connect with them. And this is a great way. They can give them a meal” she said.

More on this thank you to local police departments is at FOX29 Philadelphia.