Community events support Hot Lunch owners after one is hospitalized, another dies 

According to the Wisconsin State Journal, the Madison community has rallied in support of the owners of Hot Lunch after one was hospitalized recently, and the other passed away. The two opened the neighborhood sandwich shop in October.

Co-owner Mike Cerv has been hospitalized since May 3 with an infection that led to the beginnings of kidney failure, sepsis, and multiple surgeries. The other co-owner, Roger Barts, died May 6 of a staph infection.

Emily Samos, a server at restaurant Nattspil, and others organized a fundraising event and raffle Monday night at the Bur Oak event venue. The event raised $4,311 for Cerv’s medical bills, and a GoFundMe campaign has raised over $10,000 so far toward a $20,000 goal.

Another event with a raffle will take place Monday at Merchant restaurant from 5–10 p.m. It will raise additional money for Cerv’s medical care as well as for Barts’ family.