Hundreds of service workers lined up to get food at the Gnome restaurant in St Paul, not to pick up take out, but to collect groceries that will help them get through what’s been a difficult time.
“You know, we are out here to give back, and support people in the community, especially those in our restaurant community,” said Justin Sutherland, owner of the Gnome. “It’s awesome that we can come together to help, but it’s also tough to see.”
Cindy stopped by the food giveaway. She’s been out of work for 7 months.
“Just knowing that people are still out there willing to give, even when they might have much, means everything to me.”
The restaurant industry is hurting and badly in need of help.
“In a country like ours, that there’s a line for food is heartbreaking,” said David Fhima, the owner of Fhima in Minneapolis.
Fhima has been at the forefront in the effort to help feed those in need, helping to set up a kitchen to make meals for people.
“I do see a lot of hope, “ he said
He joined others, like Brian Ingram who owns the Hope Breakfast Bar at this “Day of Service.”
“It’s super surreal,” he said. “We had to lay off about a hundred employees last week, and some of them showed up today to get groceries.”
He said they gave away about 200 pounds of food today, and plan to hold the giveaway every Tuesday at the Gnome as the need continues to suffer.