Feeding Umpqua Wants You to Say Cheese and Thank You to Local Restaurants

Feeding Umpqua is asking the community to support their restaurant partners this year instead of the partners supporting them through their grilled cheese fundraiser. In a release from Feeding Umpqua it said that they have partnered with local restaurants to help support their mission to fight hunger and feed hope. With the pandemic last year, their Empty Bowls dinner in October was cancelled. So this February, instead of having their grilled cheese competition, Cheese and Thank You, they decided to give back to their partners instead. “Instead of asking our restaurant partners to support us, we are asking the community to support them” said Sarah McGregor, Program Manager. “We have been so grateful for the support of these chefs and restaurants. Things are tough for our restaurant partners right now and we wanted to do something to help.” Throughout the month of February, community members are invited to share the ways they are supporting Feeding Umpqua’s restaurant partners by participating in their social media campaign called Say Cheese and Thank You. The campaign is simple: visit any Cheese and Thank You or Empty Bowls Partner and snap a picture of your visit and post it on either Facebook or Instagram. You must tag @feedingumpqua, the partner you visit AND use #cheeseandthanks21 for your entry to be counted. Prizes include a weekly drawing for a $25 gift card to the Say Cheese and Thank You Partner of their choosing. A grand prize drawing for a gift basket will take place on March 3, 2021. Participating restaurants include: Alexander's Greek Cuisine, Bangkok West, Bob's Deli, Brix Grill, Cup of Joe, Dianne's Deli, Lighthouse Center Bakery, McMenamins Station Pub, Mid Town Grill, Nellie's Deli & Tap House, Old Soul Pizza, Pete's Drive In, Shanti's Indian Cuisine, SOCO Coffee Company, True Kitchen + Bar and Wrappin and Rollin.