Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance has partnered with Doe’s Eat Place, Lindsey’s BBQ & Hospitality House and Trio’s Restaurant on Plating Change, an initiative to fight food insecurity and support small businesses founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist, Marcus Lemonis.
Lemonis has pledged $35,000 to Trio’s and Doe’s Eat Place, along with $40,000 to Lindsey’s BBQ & Hospitality House. This money will enable the restaurants to prepare and distribute a total of 11,000 meals to Arkansans in need, beginning Wednesday, Jan. 20 and running through Friday, March 26.
Lemonis’ pledge to each restaurant will help cover the costs of food purchase and preparation as well as wages for restaurant employees. It’s a donation that will inject money straight to restaurants during a very difficult time, as well as feed those in need. The Plating Change initiative is also supported by two generous partners: Ben E. Keith Company and Sysco Foods of Arkansas.
“My goal is to keep Main Street USA alive and well during the economic troubles that COVID-19 has brought to our small business owners and restaurants,” says Marcus Lemonis, entrepreneur and host of CNBC’s The Profit and Streets of Dreams with Marcus Lemonis. “Here in Central Arkansas and in towns across America, we are creating a movement where we’re giving everyone the opportunity to ‘bet on humanity’ and give back. That is something we can all feel good about.”
The Plating Change initiative also partners with high-profile individuals who are invested in the fight against hunger and passionate about helping small businesses. In Central Arkansas, it doesn’t get more high profile than Mary Steenburgen, a North Little Rock native, and her husband, actor Ted Danson. After Danson was made aware of Lemonis’ Plating Change initiative, he and Steenburgen sought to bring the program to the Central Arkansas community with a focus on legacy restaurants.
“We were honored to join forces with Marcus Lemonis, our friend Capi Peck, and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance to bring the Plating Change Initiative to Arkansas. It is a program, initiated by Marcus Lemonis, to help struggling restaurants while feeding families who are experiencing food insecurity,” says Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson. “It is important to us to never forget those places in Arkansas that we hold dear. This is a critical moment in our state’s history, and we are inspired by the Arkansans who are working so hard to make life better for their neighbors. Please join them and us in supporting Arkansas restaurants and feeding our fellow Arkansans.”
A huge component in all of this is meal distribution, and that’s where Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance steps in, working with various businesses and organizations like Jericho Way, From His Throne Ministries, Philander Smith College, Canvas Community Church, Buffington Towers, Southwest Little Rock Community Center, St. Francis House, Stewpot, and Phoenix House.
“The Alliance is very grateful for the support of Marcus Lemonis, Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson on this incredible initiative,” says Kathy Webb, executive director of the Alliance. “Because of their generosity and passion for our mission work to fight hunger in Arkansas, the Alliance has been able to coordinate with Trio’s, Doe’s and Lindsey’s BBQ, as well as several dedicated partners, on the distribution of 11,000 meals to Arkansans in need. This will have a significant impact on our community and in the lives of our neighbors facing food insecurity during an especially devastating and difficult time.”
Keep an eye across the restaurants’ social media for updates.
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