We all know what BOGO is – buy one, get one – but how about buy one, give one? It's the perfect time of year for St. Albert to be introduced to Mealshare, a young company that provides a meal to those in need at Edmonton-area homeless shelters every time a designated menu item is ordered at a participating restaurant. And two local spots: Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria and Original Joe's have joined Mealshare during this festive season with promotions to warm the tummy and the heart.
If you're dining out anyway – and with the hectic nature of December's shopping, Christmas concerts, etc., many of us eat out a lot this month –Mealshare co-founder Jeremy Bryant wants you to consider having a bite at Original Joe's (St. Albert Trail at Giroux), or picking up some fan-favourite Campania Sauce at Famoso (11 Bellerose Dr.)
“Mealshare is excited to build a deep, long-term partnership with Original Joe's, and Famoso, a St. Albert success story, came to us and said, “We sell food – why not share food?” So, we're thrilled to partner with both companies,” said Bryant. “It allows us to expand into several new markets, and we're inspired and motivated by the impact we are going to be able to have together.”
Original Joe's will launch the program in conjunction with the release of its 2014 Winter Warm-Up menu. For each bowl ordered of the featured item – the Miso Ramen Bowl – Mealshare will provide a meal to someone in need.
“Original Joe's is incredibly proud to partner with Mealshare,” said Elena Remoundos, marketing and communications manager. “Giving back to those who are less fortunate is important to us.”
As part of Original Joe's Community Care Fund, partial proceeds from a featured item off the winter and summer seasonal menus will go toward Mealshare. While half the meals are donated locally, the other half is provided in developing countries through Save the Children.
“In this region, we've worked with Hope Mission from the start. We believe in what they do, providing warm meals to the homeless, but also in their work with addictions and job training. Hope Mission creates lasting change, and that's important to us,” Bryant said.
If you love the simple, fresh taste of a Neapolitan pizza, you'll love the winter fundraiser at Famoso. Until Dec. 31, the popular restaurant chain is selling jars of Campania sauce for $8, with part of the proceeds going to Mealshare. According to Stuart Karol, Famoso marketing and social media co-ordinator, the sauce sells out quickly with fans of the product and those who like to help a good cause.
“Though this promotion runs across Canada, we also have a strong local marketing program, with each store looking for ways to help in their own community,” said Karol. “To us, working with Mealshare is a no-brainer. These are good guys helping feed people, so if we can give back locally, nationally and even internationally by working with Mealshare, we're happy to do it.”
Famoso co-founder Christian Bullock, who went to school and played sports while growing up in St. Albert, said commitment to the community is paramount to the company. “We played hockey here and were part of school sports teams – we never want to forget where we came from, so it's important to maximize the local impact with the fundraisers we do. We know jars of sauce sold here will help in the capital region,” Bullock said.
On sale through December, Famoso is on track to sell out of Campania sauce again this year, meeting a goal of raising $20,000 for charity.
For information on Mealshare and participating restaurants in the capital region, see mealshare.ca.
With the addition of the chain restaurants – Original Joe's and Famoso – Mealshare is now available in some 150 restaurants across Canada – most in Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria – but also in Toronto, Halifax and Lethbridge.
