As the year comes to an end and the holiday season draws to a close, the spirit of giving continues at Eggsmart in Alcona.
Eggsmart franchisees Jevan Bala, Suba Rasanathan and Viji Rasanathan were inspired to donate meals to those in need after members of their staff told them about something they'd seen online, where receipts are taped to a window or wall at the entrance of a restaurant alongside a sign that encourages people who need a warm meal to simply select the receipt with the order of their choice — the orders have been paid for by employees or patrons.
"We decided to do it as a way to give back to the Alcona community," Bala said, of his eatery at 1060 Innisfil Beach Rd. "Therefore, we prepaid 10 meals and posted on the message board starting on the 20th of December for those in need. Customers saw these and also wanted to contribute, by purchasing more prepaid meals."
He told InnisfilToday that four meals have been claimed thus far. About 15 additional meals have yet to be taken, so Bala put some of the receipts in the Troy Scott Community Fridge at the Innisfil Recreational Complex (7315 Yonge St.), while others were donated to the Innisfil Food Bank and can be picked up at Innisfil Community Church (1571 Innisfil Beach Rd.).
Bala said they opened Eggsmart in 2022, when the economy was still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and the idea of starting a restaurant was questionable.
"We were so lucky that the community of Alcona embraced and supported us wholeheartedly. We felt that giving back to the community should always be part of our business," he said.
There is no expiration date on the pre-paid orders.
“If we get more tickets over the weekend I will distribute them around,” Bala said.
To learn more about the restaurant, visit eggsmart.com.
