A Bridgewater burger joint is clearing out some clutter for a good cause. Jac’s Burgers and Shakes is giving away two years worth — about 500 — ice cream buckets. Owner Debbie Dorey only asks one thing in return: leave a donation.
Dorey is giving all the money from the ice cream tubs to the School Youth Emergency Fund, a fund that helps youth and their families in need afford necessities like food, gas and medications.
“We wanted to do something for the youth that were slipping through the cracks,” she said in an interview.
Dorey had wanted to give back to the local youth since Christmas, but wasn’t sure what she could do.
After talking with a customer who works in the South Shore Regional Centre for Education’s SchoolsPlus program, she decided to give the money to their Emergency Fund.
Normally, the restaurant would have sold the ice cream buckets, three for five dollars. But when the pandemic hit last year, they couldn’t.
She noted that the pandemic has meant some families are seeing funds stretched tighter and could use some extra help.
The reaction from the community has been positive, with some people even donating more than the tubs are worth.
“We’re hoping we can add a couple hundred bucks to [the fund],” said Dorey “If that’s a meal card or somebody’s medication, that’s awesome.”
So far, Jac’s has raised just over $200 for the Youth Emergency Fund.
While this is the first year the restaurant has raised money for a cause, Dorey said they’ll raise money to donate to the fund again next year as well.
There are over 200 buckets still up for grabs at the restaurant.
Anyone who wants to pick up a few buckets, whether it’s for a home gardening project, spring cleaning, or otherwise, can drop by Jac’s Burgers and Shakes at 668 King Street in Bridgewater.
