City Hall is planning to pump more than $500,000 over the next two months into Richmond-based restaurants that serve meals to Richmond police officers, firefighters and ambulance staff.

The new First Responder Meal Program, launched April 16 and scheduled to last through June 10, follows in the footsteps of other programs seeking to both support beleaguered restaurants as well as feed people on the front line of the fight against COVID-19.

The city has set aside $519,000 from its operational money to fuel the new program.

As announced, the city program permits first responders on duty the option to order a meal from one of the listed restaurants.

Those ordering can choose from among the day’s list of city-based restaurants. Establishments with 25 or fewer employees are invited to participate, according to the city’s statement.

“Once a restaurant is signed up, the program’s administrator will assign the restaurant one or more dates when the city will pick up the tab for first responders’ meals,” the statement noted.

The program’s goal is to give first responders a variety of choices daily and provide as many restaurants as possible an opportunity to benefit.

“This program is a simple and delicious way for the city to expand our support for small businesses and thank our first responders,” Mayor Levar M. Stoney said.

The city program mirrors one that the Richmond Academy of Medicine and the Retail Merchants Association began in early April to benefit health care workers as well as local restaurants and caterers.

That program, called Loving Lunches RVA, purchases and delivers boxed lunches from local businesses to area hospital emergency departments and intensive care units, mobile testing sites, community clinics, primary care community practices and other sites most severely impacted by COVID-19.

The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond provided a grant to start the program. Additional funds have come from private donations to support health providers and food operations.

The program has delivered meals to workers at Johnston-Willis Hospital, Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital, VCU Health, the Daily Planet Clinic and CrossOver Healthcare Ministry.

Currently, nearly 70 restaurants and food establishments have signed up to participate, organizers said.

Loving Lunches RVA is being expanded to provide meals night and day to various facilities that operate 24 hours a day, organizers announced.

This program “means a lot to our front line colleagues and staff,” said Dr. Peter Buckley, dean of Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Medicine.

“Loving Lunches RVA helps restaurants to get back to what they do best – serving people in our community,” said Nancy Thomas, president of the Retail Merchants Association. “These businesses are paying a heavy price for measures intended to limit the spread of COVID-19, and this program helps bring them business while simultaneously showing gratitude to our health care workers.”

Meanwhile, the Salvation Army, with support from AT&T and Ukrop’s, is delivering weekly 1,200 pre-packaged heat-and-eat dinners to first responders outside the city and to doctors, nurses and other staffs at area hospitals.