Finding Joy in Helping Others: Meet Brandon Constantino

When you're a naturally gregarious person who loves to cook (but who's done his time in restaurant kitchens), what do you do with all that energy? 

If you're Brandon Costantino, you spend a day each month making side dishes by the gallons and grilling hundreds of hand-crafted burgers to give to anyone who needs a meal. It might mean spending a steaming hot August Saturday working next to a warming drawer full of pulled pork or hoping that same set-up keeps you warm in freezing February. But it's what you love. It's who you are. 

Patients and colleagues know Brandon as the Administrative Director of GBMC's Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head & Neck Center, where a team that includes surgeons and speech-language pathologists cares for an array of conditions, from head and neck cancers to speaking, singing, and swallowing issues. He came to GBMC from the American Cancer Society, where he helped patients navigate cancer care in Baltimore-area hospitals. Here, he managed the Oncology Support Services program before moving to the Dance Center. 

In his professional role, Brandon carries responsibility for ensuring that the patients of the Dance Center receive the care they need when they need it and that those treating them have the resources they need to provide care. More than that, he supports the Dance Center team so they can live up to GBMC's vision of providing every patient, every time, with the care we would want for our own loved ones. 

It's work that requires close attention to both how and how thoughtfully treatment is delivered. 

Most weekends are spent with his young children or friends – usually both. But since 2019, he has spent a day each month in Glen Rock, PA, with his friend Mick McKee preparing and serving up a mountain of fresh, healthy food. Mick is a firefighter who also used to work in a restaurant. 

Brandon explains: "It was Mick who started Without a Hook. His former boss, the restaurant's owner, helped with some of the costs. Without a Hook is still going strong – as a full, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – thanks to Mick’s dual passions for cooking and community service." 

He started out serving lunches one Thursday a month to anyone who needed a hot meal. For a long time, Brandon would take the day off to help out. Then the Township asked the team to move their program to the weekend, and things really took off. 

Brandon describes the growth of their nonprofit enterprise: "For a long time, we'd start the day with 20 lbs. of hamburger meat and 30 lbs. of potatoes," that had been donated or purchased with donations, turning it all into burgers and potato salad. They also served hot dogs and the usual homemade sides dishes and fixings. Local farms and grocers, including First Fruits Farms, have become regular contributors. 

"Now we turn 80 lbs. of meat into 400-500 patties – hand mixing it with eggs and spices," he explains. "We have a professional kitchen – all from donations – and we get donated cookies and cupcakes, along with fresh tomatoes and fruit." 

Two years ago, Brandon's father joined the team. "I got my love of cooking from him," Brandon says. The men set up their grill in their usual spot near the library and grill burgers to order. Anyone who asks for food gets a plate, whether they're part of the cycling club that often stops by or getting a meal they couldn't otherwise afford. 

"If you're hungry, we feed you," says Brandon. 

Volunteer firefighters and EMTs stop by, get lunch, and often leave cash donations. 

There is a deep satisfaction that comes from seeing people – friends and strangers – gathered for a meal, that comes to Brandon every time he looks up from the grill. 

"It's really cool to see," he says. "Strangers in line talk to each other. We're bringing the community together in a way they don't otherwise. 

"I love it. It brings me joy." 

Brandon is now Vice President of Without a Hook and Mick, who is President, has successfully pursued a grant from the State of Pennsylvania for a new truck and a new refrigerator for the operation. Like most nonprofits, it will always rely on donations. Anyone interested can contribute via Venmo @WithoutAHook.