HUNTLEY – Customers at Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Huntley will soon be feeding more mouths than just their own.
Starting March 1, the restaurant will pool all of its profits for each month into vouchers given to the Grafton Food Pantry. Pantry clients can redeem vouchers for free meals and smoothies.
After nearly three years, spouses and owners Mike and Terri Ward were on the verge of selling their business and retiring. That was before Mike read “The Hole in Our Gospel,” a book that explores how prominent the concept of serving the poor is in the Bible. Soon, the Wards were planning a new mission for their store.
“To whom much is given, much is expected,” Terri said, quoting a Bible verse that inspired their goal.
The staff has let people know of the store’s new mission, and Mike said they’ve been met with positive, but surprised reactions.
“Shocked is probably the best word,” he said.
Specifically, the restaurant’s goal is to serve 6,000 meals through vouchers by 2014. Mike came up with the estimate by looking at 2012 profits, factoring in increased profits by using volunteers, and dividing those numbers by the cost of the meals.
Briana Anzalone prepares to make a sandwich at Tropical Smoothie Cafe. In March, the Huntley restauarant will turn its profits for each month into meal vouchers given to Grafton Food Pantry clients. (Victoria Diamond /Sun Day Photo)
Food pantry clients can choose from three types of vouchers: an adult meal with entree, side item, and smoothie, a kids meal with the same items in kids size, or a free smoothie.
The paper vouchers are the same size as a dollar bill, to fit inside a customer’s wallet.
Vouchers like those pictured above will be redeemable for free meals and smoothies to Grafton Food Pantry clients. (Photo Provided)
“The whole thing was providing meals to people with a high level of dignity,” Mike said of the reasoning behind the design.
About 60 percent of the Grafton Food Pantry’s donations come during the fourth quarter, according to Harriet Ford, board member and Sun City resident. Ford is grateful the program will provide meals during the summer – a time for increased need at the pantry.
“A program that would maybe give somebody an opportunity to get a nutritious meal during the summer when they may or may not have one at home is really a wonderful, a very gracious opportunity for us,” Ford said.
The number of vouchers given will vary by month, as Mike will track sales and vouchers distributed and redeemed.
Though he said Tropical Smoothie Cafe will stick with hiring local high school students, he hopes to bring in volunteers to alleviate labor costs and maximize profits that go toward vouchers.
The restaurant is now seeking volunteers to work short shifts, helping with anything from cleaning and stocking to serving customers, delivery driving, and basic food preparation.
“Once you work more than two to three hours it’s a job; we want people to look forward to coming in here and doing a little volunteer work, having some fun,” Mike said.
To volunteer:
Those interested in volunteering can contact Mike Ward at mward@tsc-huntley.com or 847-669-3803.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
12162 Route 47
Huntley
Grafton Food Pantry
12191 Smith Dr.
Huntley
847-495-0922
