The Simple Greek hopes to aid food insecurity over the holidays in Wichita County

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WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — The Simple Greek here in Wichita Falls hopes they can help bring change to food insecurity in the county heading into 2021 through their new Planting Change program.

They prepare them, then load them up.

“It was a lot of work but it was definitely worth it to help, you know, fight food insecurity and help out the community,” general manager Jamie Wisdom said.

The Simple Greek plans to donate more than 860 “Bowls of Hope” this holiday season.

It’s all a part of the nationwide push by all 24 locations, the Planting Change program aims to provide food to those in need during the pandemic.

Something even the restaurant’s been affected by.

“Things definitely slowed down here, like overwhelmingly and so it gives us something to do,” Wisdom said.

The Salvation Army’s been a main recipient, picking up 100 meals Monday, with plenty more in the coming days.

“Also we’re hoping it brings traffic into the stores, not only to help out the community but for our business as well,” Wisdom said.

Getting their name out there, hoping the program can grow.

“Not a lot of people know about us so we’re just hoping to get the word out there,” Widsom said.

And maybe stick around to support them too, something Wisdom looks forward to after slow business during the pandemic.

“You know, we’re just happier that way, it makes the day smoother, faster, it’s just kind of depressing in here whenever we don’t see people,” Wisdom said.

Hoping to see people come through that door and more bowls of hope going out of it.

They’re accepting donations through December 31, plus the founder of The Simple Greek is matching donations made at each location!

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Excerpt sourced from article: https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/local-news/the-simple-greek-hopes-to-aid-food-insecurity-over-the-holidays-in-wichita-county/

Simple Greek is a chain that has the Hometown Hero philosophy

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NILES, Ohio (WYTV) – Our Hometown Hero is feeding people this week. By the time the holidays are over, Katie Staffrey and her fellow restaurant employees will have fed thousands.

There are so many social agencies, organizations, clubs that are donating food to the hungry this Christmas, it’s hard to pick out one to be representative.

So, we chose a private company, a private restaurant franchise called the Simple Greek. They are donating food to the hungry. Staffrey is the regional coordinator for the three Simple Greek restaurants in this area.

“We are doing about 200 meals to the Way Station out in Columbiana today from this location. And our Niles location, we are doing the Rescue Mission,” Staffrey said.

There are three Simple Greek restaurants in the area: Boardman, Niles and Hermitage. Together, they will have distributed 3,000 dinners.

“It just means getting food into people’s bellies that don’t know where their next meal is going to be coming from, and it’s just awesome to be a big part of it,” Staffrey said.

To the men and women of Simple Greek, becoming a Hometown Hero is not complicated.

 

Excerpt sourced from article: https://www.wytv.com/community/hometown-heroes/simple-greek-is-a-chain-that-has-the-hometown-hero-philosophy/

Amazing Childcare Learning Center teams up with The Simple Greek to provide meals to the homeless

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A local organization and a local restaurant joined forces Saturday morning to feed hundreds of Louisville’s homeless.

Volunteers with the Amazing Childcare Learning Center and The Simple Greek restaurant gathered under the viaduct near the intersection of South Brook Street and West Broadway. They provided people with food — grilled chicken, green beans, chickpeas and lemon rice — as well as scarves and other winter items.

Each month, the center feeds hundreds of people who are homeless while providing them with resources from 25 organizations. The Simple Greek said the food giveaway is part of its “Plating Change” program.
“We have more people without food in their mouth due to not working, due to the closures,” said Victor Rice with Amazing Childcare Learning Center. “This is a great thing that Simple Greek is doing, and we have been feeding families monthly for the last two or three years.”
Excerpt sourced from article: https://www.wdrb.com/news/amazing-childcare-learning-center-teams-up-with-the-simple-greek-to-provide-meals-to-the/article_45c433e6-424d-11eb-8124-177bc7cbb685.html

The Simple Greek in Boardman donates 100 meals to Rescue Mission

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BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) – The Simple Greek restaurant in Boardman donated 100 meals to the Rescue Mission.

They’ve done it through a program called Plating Change.

The money comes from donations to help local organizations like the Rescue Mission.

Plating Change helps local restaurants that have lost customers through the pandemic and that have food insecurities.

“It’s really just people who suffer from, they don’t know exactly where their next meal is going to come from. Maybe they’re not homeless, maybe they have a place to live, but they’re not 100% sure where the groceries or hot meals are going to come from on a daily basis,” said Ron Taylor, with The Simple Greek.

Excerpt sourced from article: Plating Change has committed over 900 meals for every Simple Greek restaurant.

 

The Simple Greek in Boardman donates 100 meals to Rescue Mission

Simple Greek Boardman donating meals to Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley

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Simple Greek in Boardman is scheduled to donate 100 meals this evening, at Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley.

Simple Greek is participating in the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley’s “Take Out Team”- where local restaurants provide take-out meals to be served during mealtime at the mission.

John Muckridge III, the Mission’s CEO said, “We are extremely thankful for partners like the Simple Greek, who have the heart to come alongside the Mission and serve those in need.”

Simple Greek is also hosting the event “Bowls of Hope”- where customers can join the cause and provide additional meals to people in need.

For every $5 donated, one Bowl of Hope is dispersed locally.

“There is a passion, amongst all of us, to ensure that small businesses feel supported and that people in need have a meal. We are creating a movement where we’re giving everyone the opportunity to ‘bet on humanity, and that is something we can all feel good about,” said Simple Greek Founder, Marcus Lemonis.

Excerpt sourced from article: https://www.wfmj.com/story/43039672/simple-greek-boardman-donating-meals-to-rescue-mission-of-the-mahoning-valley

Marcus Lemonis’ Launches Program to Help Independent Restaurants

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Marcus Lemonis of CNBC show “The Profit” has launched a program that enables Americans to give back to their local restaurants and help those that are food insecure this holiday season. Lemonis kickstarted “Plating Change” through a $1 million donation and a partnership with Grubhub.

Through December 31, Grubhub customers can opt into the platform’s Donate the Change initiative, which rounds up their order total and donates the difference. Proceeds will go to World Central Kitchen and its Restaurants for the People program, which helps independent restaurants and their employees as well as communities in need.

Half of Lemonis’ $1 million donation will go to World Central Kitchen and the other half will go to additional charitable organizations that fight food insecurity and other local restaurants affected by the pandemic.

“This year has been a struggle for so many people and businesses around the country, and we know winter will bring a new set of challenges,” said Seth Priebatsch, chief revenue officer at Grubhub, in a statement. “We’re so appreciative of Marcus’ partnership and contribution to World Central Kitchen to provide meals to those who need them most while also supporting the restaurants we all know and love.”

 

Excerpt sourced from article: https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/marcus-lemonis-launches-program-help-independent-restaurants/

Marcus Lemonis on food insecurity, RVs and the restaurant industry

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Marcus Lemonis, ‘The Profit’ host and Camping World CEO, joins ‘Power Lunch’ to discuss his latest partnership with Grubhub, his new CNBC show, ‘Streets of Dreams with Marcus Lemonis’ and the growing food insecurity in the U.S. as the pandemic continues. You can watch the video interview here.

The Simple Greek Delivers Bowls of Hope this Holiday in Wilmington, DE

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The Simple Greek Concord Pike has answered the call from Founder Marcus Lemonis, best known for his long running hit show CNBC’s “The Profit”, to battle food insecurity in local communities. As part of the Plating Change program, The Simple Greek franchise system plans to donate at least 20,000 meals to those in need this holiday.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented demand for food assistance and catastrophic impact on small businesses across the US. 

In New Castle County, it’s projected that over 83,000 people are currently food insecure, 28,000 are children*.

“There is a passion, amongst all of us, to ensure that small businesses feel supported and that people in need have a meal. We are creating a movement where we’re giving everyone the opportunity to ‘bet on humanity,” said Lemonis.”

The Simple Greek Concord Pike plans to donate over 850 “Bowls of Hope’ – a nutritious meal and a Simple Greek classic. Customers can join the cause and provide additional meals to people in need by donating $1, $5 or $10 when they order in store or online at www.thesimplegreek.com. 

They are asking the Wilmington community to help reach those who will benefit the most by submitting an online form at www.thesimplegreek.com/platingchange to “nominate” a charitable organization in New Castle County that can help facilitate the distribution of meals to those in need. With the power of social media, people can get involved and make a difference. Find and follow The Simple Greek – Concord Pike on Facebook.

The “Plating Change” initiative is designed to drive business to local restaurants and provide meals to our neighbors who need it most. The program is a win-win for the community and that is something we can all feel good about. 

 Source: Gundersen, C., M. Hake, A. Dewey, E. Engelhard (2020). The Impact of the Coronavirus on Food Insecurity in 2020, Update October 2020 [Data file and FAQ]. Available from Feeding America: [email protected].

The Simple Greek Delivers Bowls of Hope this Holiday in Virginia Beach, VA

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The Simple Greek Virginia Beach has answered the call from Founder Marcus Lemonis, best known for his long running hit show CNBC’s “The Profit”, to battle food insecurity in local communities. As part of the Plating Change program, The Simple Greek franchise system plans to donate at least 20,000 meals to those in need this holiday.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented demand for food assistance and catastrophic impact on small businesses across the US. 

In Virginia Beach City, it’s projected that over 51,000 people are currently food insecure, 17,000 are children*.

“There is a passion, amongst all of us, to ensure that small businesses feel supported and that people in need have a meal. We are creating a movement where we’re giving everyone the opportunity to ‘bet on humanity,” said Lemonis.”

The Simple Greek Virginia Beach plans to donate over 850 “Bowls of Hope’ – a nutritious meal and a Simple Greek classic. Customers can join the cause and provide additional meals to people in need by donating $1, $5 or $10 when they order in store or online at www.thesimplegreek.com. 

They are asking the Virginia Beach community to help reach those who will benefit the most by submitting an online form at www.thesimplegreek.com/platingchange to “nominate” a charitable organization in Virginia Beach City that can help facilitate the distribution of meals to those in need. With the power of social media, people can get involved and make a difference. Find and follow The Simple Greek – Virginia Beach on Facebook.

The “Plating Change” initiative is designed to drive business to local restaurants and provide meals to our neighbors who need it most. The program is a win-win for the community and that is something we can all feel good about. 

 Source: Gundersen, C., M. Hake, A. Dewey, E. Engelhard (2020). The Impact of the Coronavirus on Food Insecurity in 2020, Update October 2020 [Data file and FAQ]. Available from Feeding America: [email protected].

The Simple Greek Delivers Bowls of Hope this Holiday in Pittsburgh, PA

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The Simple Greek Pittsburgh has answered the call from Founder Marcus Lemonis, best known for his long running hit show CNBC’s “The Profit”, to battle food insecurity in local communities. As part of the Plating Change program, The Simple Greek franchise system plans to donate at least 20,000 meals to those in need this holiday.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented demand for food assistance and catastrophic impact on small businesses across the US. 

In Allegheny County, it’s projected that over 184,000 people are currently food insecure, 53,000 are children*.

“There is a passion, amongst all of us, to ensure that small businesses feel supported and that people in need have a meal. We are creating a movement where we’re giving everyone the opportunity to ‘bet on humanity,” said Lemonis.”

The Simple Greek Pittsburgh plans to donate over 850 “Bowls of Hope’ – a nutritious meal and a Simple Greek classic. Customers can join the cause and provide additional meals to people in need by donating $1, $5 or $10 when they order in store or online at www.thesimplegreek.com. 

They are asking the Pittsburgh community to help reach those who will benefit the most by submitting an online form at www.thesimplegreek.com/platingchange to “nominate” a charitable organization in Allegheny County that can help facilitate the distribution of meals to those in need. With the power of social media, people can get involved and make a difference. Find and follow The Simple Greek – Pittsburgh on Facebook.

The “Plating Change” initiative is designed to drive business to local restaurants and provide meals to our neighbors who need it most. The program is a win-win for the community and that is something we can all feel good about. 

 Source: Gundersen, C., M. Hake, A. Dewey, E. Engelhard (2020). The Impact of the Coronavirus on Food Insecurity in 2020, Update October 2020 [Data file and FAQ]. Available from Feeding America: [email protected].