10th Annual Dine-Around to Benefit APRON Set for March 13-19
The 10th annual Louisville Dine-Around is taking a bit of a different approach than in previous years. This time, it's all about the restaurants.
For previous Dine-Around events, restaurants have donated a portion of their profits during Dine-Around, but this year from March 13-19 APRON Inc., which has traditionally presented the promotion as a fundraiser, will not be asking for proceeds from the restaurants as part of the event. Why? Because, according to a news release, after two long years of struggles, APRON wants to showcase Louisville’s restaurant scene.
In other words, all anyone is being asked to do is support local independent restaurants. To further drive restaurant traffic, this year APRON, a charity to support hospitality industry employees in times of need, extended Dine-Around to a full-week event, rather than two days as in previous years. APRON Inc. board members will be visiting their favorite eateries throughout the day and posting live on Facebook and Instagram to support the effort.
" I fell in love with the industry at a young age,” Jared Fox Matthews, Owner of Lou Lou Food & Drink, Equus & Jack’s Bourbon Restaurant/Lounge and Black Rabbit, said in a news release. “To be able to serve people and make a living doing it has always been a treat for me. However, the lack of benefits for hourly employees has always been the biggest downfall in this business. A server falls and breaks their arm, how are they going to be able to make ends meet? Apron is the first organization to step up and give the service to the service industry. "
Louisville’s independent restaurants have made it through two challenging years and some restaurants are still struggling with staffing issues, supply chain shortages, and the battle to keep prices down while keeping quality up.
“There is some good news to share,” said Gary Fox, APRON Inc. President. “For nearly 11 years we have helped restaurant employees in time of their need. In the last two years alone, we have distributed more $350,000 in grants, and we continue to do so as we raise funds. But we thought perhaps we could help the owners too. This year we are encouraging people to dine-out (or take-away) and support all independent restaurants during the Dine-Around week. You are going to be eating anyway- why not spread a little love.”
In addition to supporting the restaurants during this event week, people can make financial donations at anytime through APRON’s website at www.aproninc.org.
