Abington Restaurant Provides Free Kids Meals During COVID-19 Crisis
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Schools across Massachusetts (and the rest of the world) are currently closed amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unfortunately, many children count on the meals they receive at school to remain adequately fed. According to the Greater Boston Food Bank, one in eight Massachusetts children are considered "food insecure."
In response, Sarcastic Swine BBQ in Abington - and many other restaurants across the country - are giving back in their communities' time of need.
Sarcastic Swine co-owners, Mike Crooks (a Rockland native) and his partner, Erik Dutcher are offering free kids’ meals for the next two weeks while local schools are closed.
“We noticed a lot of people with their kids, with them being out of school, and I know there’s a lot of families that might have trouble feeding their kids,” Crooks told The Patriot Ledger. “We thought it was a nice way to give back to the community.”
Kids can choose from chicken fingers and fries, a cheeseburger or hamburger and fries, a pulled pork slider with fries or chips, a Caesar salad, macaroni and cheese, a bacon and egg sandwich, or grilled cheese.
The restaurant is even offering free delivery services Monday through Friday when many parents are at work. They are not required to order anything else besides the free meal in order to receive free delivery services. Parents need only give an hour's notice so staff can fulfill all orders.
Crooks said several people have called to volunteer to help with deliveries so he does not foresee any issues providing food to everyone who needs it.
It turns out another local restaurant took inspiration from Sarcastic Swine's good deed. The Farmer’s Daughter in Easton also began offering free kids' meals this past Friday.
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They plan to continue this service for at least the next two weeks.
“As a mom myself, I realize that many Easton families may be affected by schools being closed, especially when it comes to school provided breakfast and lunch,” Chandra Gouldrup, owner and head chef of The Farmer's Daughter, wrote on Facebook. “We do not want any child going hungry during this time, therefore, we would like to offer any Easton school aged child complimentary breakfast or lunch from our Kids Menu.”
H/T to The Patriot Ledger