By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
The Mail Pouch Saloon in Haskins is doing its part during the coronavirus crisis by doing what it does best — feeding people.
The restaurant is offering free lunches — no other purchases required— to kids in grades kindergarten through 12, and it doesn’t matter what school district.
Dirk Dishop , the general manager, said the decision to offer the free food came from a discussion amongst the staff.
“We started thinking what about all the kids who depend on a school meal every day,” Dishop said. “Sometimes that’s the only hot meal they get,” he said.
The free lunch for students will also be offered at the Mail Pouch in Swanton and the recently opened Fire Station Bar in Springfield, all owned by Jamie Wietrzykowski.
“The owner wanted to reach out and help,” Dishop said. “We’ve been blessed by support from the community and this is our chance to do a little something.”
But these are uncertain times.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen,” Dishop said. “This could taper off and be nothing by end of the month. We’ll just see it through as far as we can.”
Hanging over is possibility of being closed.
If that happens, he said, “We may come up with ideas how to help out in any way we possibly can.”
Dishop said they will serve kids meals, but will augment them for bigger teenage appetites.
He said the plan grew out of discussions earlier Thursday among the employees. They were wondering what they’d do with their own kids with school canceled because of the coronavirus.
They wondered if they could get daycare. So Dishop said they decided they could set up a place in the front of the restaurant for the kids to hang out. It has wifi so they can do school work.
This means the staff will have childcare and not lose pay if they had to stay home.
Folks have already offered to help. They should call Dishop to see what may be needed.
The Mail Pouch opened in February, 2016. Dishop described it as a family restaurant and bar and grille.
“We’re kind of multifaceted,” he said. Besides the food and beverages, there’s TVs for sports and such. On Friday and Saturday nights they present live music.
“We’re doing really good,” he said. “We have a lot of repeat customers.” And the comment cards given to patrons is showing new customers are finding them as well.
The coronavirus crisis has yet to have an impact. But, Dishop said, it’s just now coming to a head.
