Brandon eateries sign up for school-supply fundraiser

It might seem unusual to try to get people thinking about school supplies in the middle of summer, but the United Way’s Jamie Stouffer says now is the perfect time.

The non-profit has just launched its annual Tools for Schools fundraiser in partnership with Brandon restaurants, where a purchase of a burger can help buy a binder, crayons or a calculator.

Stouffer said she has some food for thought on how the public can help.

“We want people to support the restaurants that are supporting us,” said Stouffer, United Way west central’s director of community wellness.

“It’s a fun and easy way to donate and get a great meal at the same time.”

Six Brandon restaurants have already signed up to partner with the United Way to offer a designated entrée: Lady of the Lake Shop Cafe and Pub, Chez Angela Bakery and Café, Royal Fork Foods, TacoTime, Sushi Hut and Eagles Nest.

Until Sunday, a dollar from the sale of each dish will go to the United Way so staff can purchase supplies for all schools in the Brandon School Division. It may only be a dollar per sale, but it adds up, said Stouffer.

“On average, we will spend about 20 to 25 thousand dollars on school supplies, which doesn’t go as far as you would think. And not as far as it used to, but we do what we can.”

“We recognize that not all families can afford to send their kids to school fully equipped. Times are tough and school supplies are expensive, so the schools have supplies there.

“Even if a student brought everything they need, one day they might need a binder. The school will have a stack of things in their storeroom that they can let the student have, and life just moves on.”

Lady of the Lake’s dish is the Aloha Burger with grilled pineapple on a house-made patty topped with mozzarella cheese, barbecue sauce and pickled red onions on a toasted Blue Hills multigrain bun.

The restaurant is family-owned and operated, said manager Shannon Skidmore, adding that kids are “super important, because they are the future.”

“It’s something that we’re super passionate about,” Skidmore said, recounting an experience she had as a child that has stuck with her to this day.

“I grew up in a low-income household, and I know that we had assistance throughout my growing up, but it’s something that I didn’t know about until later on in life,” she said.

“So, every little bit helps, and anything that can make one family feel like they have the exact same opportunities as the next, I feel like that’s super important.”

Ordering a main course at the Royal Fork or purchasing a combo and the Mexican drink Jarritos at TacoTime will also benefit the United Way, said Alpesh Patel, the restaurants’ co-owner.

“It’s my duty to do something for the community and it’s for the kids,” Patel said. “I was struggling when I came to this country, and it’s given me a lot.

“The cost of everything is so much and not everybody can afford school supplies. Those days are gone.”

This is the third year for the restaurant challenge and is the official kick-off to the Tools for Schools campaign, Stouffer said.

The big push for funds and items happens in August. Staff will also be gathering all the supplies that have been purchased and placed in backpacks to be divvied up among the 24 schools in the Brandon School Division.

Stouffer said the wish list hasn’t changed much since her kids were in school about 20 years ago.

“There’s not a whole lot of difference,” Stouffer said. “The early and middle years are still using a lot of the paper-based products like loose-leaf, and pens, pencils, rulers, erasers and markers.”

The two latest restaurants that have signed up to sell and donate a dollar a dish — Eagles Nest and Sushi Hut — haven’t yet advertised which entrée they are featuring. Stouffer encouraged people to check the United Way’s Facebook page for updates.

At Chez Angela Bakery and Café, co-owner James Chambers said they are donating money from every sandwich combo and every latte sold.

“Kids are the easiest investment that we can make in our community, and when they are equipped with the things that they need to succeed, it’s better for everybody,” Chambers said.

“And it’s not just about that kid, it’s for the class, it’s for the school, it’s for everyone around them,” he added.

“So this is a really easy thing to get behind, and we hope that they have another successful year with this fundraising effort.”

For more information about the United Way’s Tools for School campaign, call the Brandon office at 204-571-8929.

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