Local eateries: Still generous in spite of it all

It’s no secret that local charities, including my own scholarship foundation, regularly look to restaurants for donations. Whether it’s a “dine & donate” for this or that cause, free gift cards for charity auctions, commandeering the services of a chef to cook at a fundraiser, or complimentary in-restaurant dinners to benefit one or the other organization, our local restaurants always seem to be ready to give when it comes to freebies.

Given the financial and emotional strain currently being imposed on our local eateries and most small local businesses, you’d think they’d circle the wagons and bring their longtime generosity to an end. But, in typical Sussex County fashion, there are a surprising number of restaurants that continue their generosity even in the face of this ongoing trauma.

Several weeks ago, Touch of Italy (two of their four sit-down locations are temporarily shuttered) instituted their “Buy One, Give One” campaign where each purchase of a family meal for four triggers the donation of an identical meal to frontline healthcare workers at Beebe Healthcare. Translated into restaurant-speak, that means that the restaurant is selling those meals at a 50 percent discount - lower than their costs - while their regular income hovers around 10 to 15 percent of their normal gross receipts. Impressive.

Speaking of impressive, Franco La Ragione, co-owner of the Mama Maria’s pizzerias in Milford and Dewey Beach, keeps his kitchen staff working daily by offering totally free meals to anyone who feels the need. His cleverly constructed Meal Kits are offered on a no-questions-asked basis at various locations including the Milford location of Mama Maria’s. You can learn more about Touch of Italy and Mama Maria’s generosity by listening to the podcasts of my two most recent radio shows. Simply go to RehobothFoodie.com/Podcasts.

Many restaurants are directing the meager takeout/delivery income to their displaced staff. A good example of this is the "All Together" collaboration IPA release to support La Vida Hospitality’s beINVOLVED Employee Family Fund. "All Together" is a worldwide beer collaboration created by Other Half Brewing Company to raise awareness and provide relief to their work family during this time.

Bethany Blues is providing weekly takeout meals free of charge to their employees who are displaced or currently not working. In addition, the tips garnered from Bethany Blues’ pickup and delivery are divided among their employees in need. Co-owner Steve “Monty” Montgomery tells me that the tips are quite generous - some even approaching 100 percent! More amazing support from locals who love our restaurants.

The Starboard is helping their staff survive by providing necessities such as toilet paper and other household products to those who need it. On Easter, the ownership of The Starboard fed 140 of their staff with a complimentary drive-by pickup to provide their families with a holiday meal.

Chris Agharabi, owner of Theo’s Steakhouse, Sides & Spirits still waiting to open in the old a(MUSE)/Café Sole spot in downtown Rehoboth, has turned potential food waste into meals for those who need them. Several weeks ago food supplier Sysco informed him that they had literally tons of fresh fruit and vegetables that were going to waste away. Chris swung into action and set up a huge “yard sale” in the front of his restaurant locations in Cambridge and St. Michaels, Md. The response to his Facebook posts was so overwhelming that traffic was backed up for blocks around his restaurants. All that wonderful food did not go to waste!

Warren Rosenfeld of Rosenfeld’s Jewish Deli recently got into the act with his new Delmarva Gift Cards Fighting Hunger program. In an effort to keep at least a little business flowing through local eateries, Rosenfeld and other partnered restaurants are matching all gift card purchases at participating places in Wicomico, Worcester and Sussex counties. The matching card is given to families in need and the restaurants deliver food to them. Learn more about this program on Facebook at Delmarva Gift Cards Fighting Hunger.

The unassuming Full Belly Bistro in Lewes has been busy providing free meals to many, including first responders, healthcare workers and even out-of-work hairdressers and barbers. Though friends of the restaurant have chipped in for part of the expenses, over half of the expenses are being borne by owner Andrew Dulaney himself. In fact, this Saturday, May 9, he is providing “Prom Dinners” for high school juniors and seniors who will not get to enjoy their prom this year. All they have to do is present their school ID. Families are welcome to purchase food at the same time, but the high schoolers get theirs compliments of Full Belly Bistro and boss Andrew.

Also in Lewes, generous local businesses have been establishing food tabs at Chris and Anthony Jacona’s Wheelhouse restaurant. Those funds are earmarked to help feed local healthcare workers, fire, police and EMT responders. Keep an eye on the Wheelhouse Facebook page for more events like that.

One of our success stories here at the beach is none other than SoDelConcepts. Locally owned and locally operated, that restaurant group is suffering the same financial trials as the mom & pops - except there are a few more zeros in both the credit and debit columns. And still they dig deep to help their employees and our local workers. Several weeks ago they offered specials at all 12 restaurants. Much to their surprise, they doubled their wildest expectations when hundreds of loyal fans showed up for carryout – resulting in a gift of almost $87,000 to Beebe Relief Fund. They also matched donations made by local supporters to buy meals for Beebe employees at Matt’s Fish Camp Lewes, Crust & Craft, Bluecoast Rehoboth and Thompson Island Brewery. The SoDel Support Fund provides grants to current employees who have been particularly impacted.

Of course, all of this costs money. And in many cases, some of our smaller businesses are saddled with everyday expenses that would otherwise be covered by daily revenue. So they simply have no resources to mount programs such as these. So continue to support your favorite eateries! And don’t forget to tip generously for carryout and delivery. For many, that’s the only way they can possibly make it.

Step away from your email box! I’m sure that there are other generous restaurateurs and business owners putting themselves out there to keep at least some of their staff working. But I have yet again exhausted my weekly allotment of ink and paper, so be sure to give kudos to those people who remain generous in spite of the hardships they’re forced to endure.