When there's a need, Manhattan Beach rises to the occasion. A series of local efforts to raise money for Manhattan Beach restaurants to provide meals to medical and emergency workers have yielded a total of more than $50,000 in the past week.

"'MB Feeds The Heroes," an effort of the Downtown Manhattan Beach Business and Professionals Association, sought donations that would be used to order meals from downtown Manhattan Beach restaurants and would then be donated to local hospital staff. The goal was to provide meals to front-line workers while helping to keep downtown restaurant staff employed.

In just one week, the effort has raised more than $42,000 and provided approximately 2,600 meals. 

"Everyone is loving this program," said Jill Lamkin, executive director of the Downtown Manhattan Beach Business and Professionals Association. "It’s really helping some of the restaurants survive by getting 90 meals purchased at a time."

To donate to MB Feeds the Heroes, click here.

A similar effort by the Simms Restaurant Group is providing meals to emergency room workers through The Arthur J, Tin Roof Bistro, and Simmzy's.

"Feed Our Heroes LA" is part of an effort by Simms Restaurants to prepare meals for emergency room workers and keep its restaurant workers employed.

"Mike [Simms'] wife works in the ER so he became quickly aware of their needs," said Simms Restaurant Group spokesperson Christina Gilmour.

That effort has raised more than $8,800, and has targeted a goal of raising $50,000. 

Organizers are looking to drop off 50 meals at a time, so at $10 per meal, they are looking for $500 sponsorships, although any amount is welcome.

To donate to Feed Our Heroes LA, click here.

Additionally, Turner Family Restaurants, parent company of The Local Yolk, is running a similar effort to secure donations for meals for local emergency room staff and first responders.

"So far we have raised about $6,000 and have delivered about 300 meals to our local hospitals and fire stations since last Thursday. Our goal is at least 50 meals per day and we personally donated 30 meals to kick off our efforts." said Megan Turner of Turner Family Restaurants.

Turner continued, "The local hospital staff and fire fighters have been so incredibly appreciative and we want to keep this going as long as possible."

To donate to the Local Yolk/Turner Family Restaurants effort, click here.