Free meals for community members impacted by Central Coast fires
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (KION) Restaurants on the Central Coast are offering free meals to evacuees, firefighters, law enforcement and anyone else hit hard by the ongoing fires.
Staff at Julia's Vegetarian Restaurant in Pacific Grove say they have served over 500 free meals since the start of the current pandemic.
Now, this restaurant and more are stepping up their efforts to feed evacuees, fire fighters, law enforcement and others impacted by the still raging fires.
Joannie Hillesheim of Carmel Valley was just one of the thousands who were forced to evacuate from the recent fires.
She says she and her family are grateful for the free meals they received at Julia's Vegetarian Kitchen.
"Having a meal is huge, I mean, it's just one more thing you don't have to think about doing so it's a big relief," says Hillesheim.
At Happy Girl Kitchen Company in Pacific Grove, the staff said they were inspired by their love of animals to serve 100 free meals to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
"I just think they're doing an amazing job evacuating all these animals and caring for the animals," says Happy Girl Kitchen Owner, Jordan Champagne.
"I'm actually evacuated also, my house is right in the Carmel fire."
The availability for meals and hours are different for each restaurant but the workers say they could use volunteers and donations to help their efforts grow.
Some of the restaurants giving out meals according to a social media post by @ediblemontereybay include:
- Persephone Restaurant in Aptos
- Venus Spirits Kitchen in Santa Cruz
- Julia's Vegetarian Kitchen
- Happy Girl Kitchen Company in Pacific Grove
To ask about meals or to make donation at Julia's Vegetarian Kitchen, visit www.juliasveg.com
To ask about meals, donations or volunteering at Happy Girl Kitchen Company, email sales at www.happygirlkitchen.com
