The Rotary Club of Orillia has launched a timely new project to support local restaurants.
The club has partnered with restaurants for Rotary Take-out Tuesday. Participating businesses will set their menus and prices and contribute $5 from each sale to the local Rotary club’s community needs fund.
The club receives a variety of requests from people in need of support, ranging from those who require a new wheelchair to people who have experienced a house fire.
Take-out Tuesday is a way for people to support restaurants and, in turn, the community, said Rotary member Paula Hill-Coulson.
“We know the smaller restaurants are struggling. They’re all suffering. They all have families to feed,” she said. “It’s important for us to do our best to keep our businesses open.”
And, it’s now more important than ever, she added.
“We all know how hard it is for restaurants in the winter. Now that we’ve got the new state of emergency (declared Tuesday by Premier Doug Ford), it’s going to be even tougher,” she said.
So far, there are three restaurants on board for Take-out Tuesday: Friend’s Diner, Hill’s Restaurant, and Quesada.
Friend’s Diner sold out of its rib dinners for this week’s inaugural Take-out Tuesday.
“It shows this is working. I was so happy for them,” Hill-Coulson said.
She is hoping more restaurants will get involved. Those interested can email Hill-Coulson at [email protected] for more information.
Those who want to place an order can contact the participating restaurants directly. Some require orders be placed in advance.
More information about Take-out Tuesday can be found on the Rotary Club of Orillia Facebook page.
The club is also partnering with Friend’s Diner for a spaghetti dinner fundraiser Jan. 23. For $20, customers will get pasta with Bolognese sauce, Caesar salad and garlic bread. A portion of the sales will go to the club’s local needs fund.
Orders must be placed by Jan. 20 by calling Friend’s Diner at 705-326-8594.
