Restaurants rally for Maple Alley Inn

Local restaurants in Happy Valley and Bellingham served a steady flow of hungry customers for the 10th Annual Dine Out for Maple Alley Inn yesterday.
Over 40 restaurants across Bellingham participated in the annual fundraiser for Maple Alley Inn, donating 20 percent of their profits to Maple Alley Inn. These donations will help Maple Alley Inn provide hot meals for under-privileged individuals in the community two nights a week.
How big of an influence does this fundraiser have?
The scope of serving such meals biweekly adds up quickly. “Last year we served over 15,000 meals,” said Sheri Burgler Emerson, Director of Communications and Community Relations for the Opportunity Council.
Maple Alley Inn is part of the Opportunity Council, a private and non-profit Community Action Agency spanning Whatcom, Island, and San Juan County. “We are hopeful that it will be another great success this year - it has raised about $20,000 in past years and this is a huge boost for our Maple Alley Inn program,” said Emerson.
Local business experienced increased business for fundraiser
On Rice Thai Cuisine on Harris Avenue experienced a busy dinner for a Tuesday evening. A sign on the door notified guests that absolutely no coupons would be accepted that night, as On Rice was participating in the fundraiser.
Nearly all the tables were filled and live piano music filled the air space. “It’s very full tonight!” said Corbin Roskam, a local resident of Happy Valley. “I’m kind of surprised it’s this busy, but I’m enjoying the piano music.”
Restaurant worker Matt Schimmel worked the past two years at On Rice and said that the restaurant experiences a boost in business on fundraiser day. “We put on extra staff – quite a bit more than a normal Tuesday.”
The majority of customers who come in know about the fundraiser occurring, and those who find out upon arrival are genuinely happy to be contributing, he said. “I love it [the fundraiser]. We should have more opportunities for restaurants in the community to help out with this good cause,” he said.
On Rice was among several restaurants in Happy Valley to participate, including the Sehome Diner and Mambo Italiano. In the greater Bellingham area, restaurants such as the Bayside Café, Fiamma Burger, and the Shrimp Shack participated, according to www.oppco.org.
Helping the community
The Opportunity Council “acts as a catalyst for positive change both in the community and in the lives of the people it serves,” said its website. It is one of over 1,000 Community Action Agencies beginning in 1965 as a volunteer project within Whatcom County.
According to www.census.gov, 21 percent of individuals and 9 percent of families live below the poverty lines in Bellingham. The Opportunity Council aims to help these community members to become self-sufficient while supporting them through rough times.