Area radio stations 104.1 The Dock and Pure Country 106 have teamed up to launch an initiative that will provide pre-made restaurant meals for families in need at local food banks.
The initiative started after radio show hosts Meg Whitton and Brian Wicks (aka. “Wix”) of 104.1 The Dock, shared a story about Alberta realtor Torrey Mattson, who had businesses pre-purchase 40 meals from restaurants and kept frozen at local food banks for families in need.
A listener who heard the story felt inspired and donated $1,000 to their local food bank. Whitton and ‘Wix’ were moved by both the story and the donation and decided to localize the initiative.
“It’s really easy to duplicate the idea,” shares Whitton. “Businesses pay for meals at restaurants and they donate the meals to their food bank – it’s that simple!”
104.1 The Dock and Pure Country 106 (both owned by Bell and managed under the iheartRADIO network) have been sharing the campaign, “Feeding Families: Restaurant Relief” offering to connect local businesses with restaurants.
How it works: Businesses agree to pay for 40 meals upfront at $15 per meal, and those interested in participating can donate the full amount or combine their donation with others to fulfil the order.
“Our original plan was just to do this for three weeks but businesses really wanted to participate, so, we aren’t sure how long this will go for,” shares Whitton. “It’s been interesting to see the [businesses] that are participating… we’ve been introduced to a lot of restaurants that we didn’t know about.”
Whitton says a group of six sisters heard about the program and wanted to help, and each donated $100 as a family towards the frozen meal initiative.
Other groups who also donated include a hockey team in Orillia, and the Simcoe County Paramedics, who collected funds together and donated $3,000, pre-purchasing meals from five different restaurants.
News of ‘Feeding Families: Restaurant Relief’ has travelled as far a Bracebridge, Wasaga Beach, and Bala, and businesses are continuing to jump on board with the idea to support their local food banks.
“We’re fortunate that we’re a radio station and can offer the publicity,” notes Whitton. “Every time there’s a ‘story’ we’re able to talk about it on the air which resonates with the community and encourages others to follow suit.”
A local Bradford business (who wishes to remain anonymous) heard about the program and offered to pre-pay for meals from two local businesses; Uttara Khand Indian restaurant, and Hacienda Santa Teresa Mexican restaurant. Due to a lack of storage space at Bradford’s Helping Hand Food Bank, the food bank suggested donating the meals to local temporary shelter, Out of the Cold Café, which serves free hot meals for those in need seven days a week.
Whitton adds that between the two radio stations, so far 48 different restaurants have delivered meals to local food banks, bringing well over $25K into the local economy through the initiative.
For those interested in signing up to participate, visit: here.
