Meals 4-One and All donates over 1,000 meals for those in need

The Meals 4-One and All initiative generated over 1,000 meals for families in need throughout Hays County in its first week.

The initiative — created by restaurateur Steve Swindell in partnership with the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce — allows participating restaurants to donate one meal for every four entrees sold to organizations that provide food and services to families in need through Hays County.

Fourteen San Marcos and Kyle restaurants participated in the program during the first week.

“I don’t think any of us expected the reaction we’ve seen,” said Bucky Couch, owner of Cody’s Bistro in San Marcos. “We thought we could generate a lot of meals, but the reaction from our customers has been amazing. They feel as much a part of this program as we do and that makes this all the more rewarding.”

The meals donated come in the form of vouchers and are distributed through the Hays County Food Bank; HaysHope2Go, a Hays Consolidated ISD program; and the Greater San Marcos Youth Council.

“This program could not have come at a better time,” said Esperanza Orosco, Hays CISD Board of Trustees president and creator of the Hope2Go program. “Our needs have never been greater and this program is providing a lot of meals to those in need. It also gives many families who don’t normally get the opportunity to eat out, the chance to enjoy some of our community’s best restaurants.”

The following restaurants are currently involved in the Meal 4-One and All initiative: Ilario's Italian Cuisine, Subway - Kyle; Crave-It Nutrition; Cody's Restaurant Bar & Patio; Gumby's Pizza San Marcos; The Texas Pie Company; Milt's Pit BBQ; Casa Garcia's Mexican Restaurant & Cantina; Palmer's Restaurant Bar and Courtyard; Weusi Wellness, Bravo Company Barbeque & Catering; Figaro's Pizza & Pub; San Marcos BBQ; and The Coffee Box.

“We’re extremely grateful for our local restaurants and the Kyle Chamber of Commerce for creating and implementing the Meals 4-One and All program,” said Julia Ramsay New, Greater San Marcos Youth Council executive director. "Many we serve, through our mission to strength en families, are experiencing tremendous challenges during the pandemic, which makes them more vulnerable to additional crisis. Serving Hays County children and their families for over 30 years, GSMYC can do so only because of the generosity of our community members."

Meals 4-One and All is overseen by the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce, which hopes to expand the program to other communities throughout the Interstate 35 corridor. The Kyle chamber tracks donations from each restaurant and provides certificates for donated entrees to charity partners. Charities then distribute these certificates to individuals and families in need throughout the county.

Restaurants interested in participating can review guidelines and apply on the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce website.