Stafford’s Solid Waste Distributes Restaurant Gift Cards
May 3, 2020 at 10:40 p.m.
By David [email protected]
While the giveaway was scheduled to start at noon, the first car arrived shortly after 9 a.m.
“I figured it would be like this,” James Stafford Sr. said shortly before the giveaway started. “People try to be first. Everyone wants to be No. 1 in line. But I knew it would be a big turnout. We’re just trying to help people, so they can help their kids with food and stuff. You’ve got to give back. They’ve helped us out over the years. You’ve got to give back, and we wanted to give back.”
The coronavirus pandemic and the stay-at-home executive order by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb in late March has led many businesses to close, at least temporarily, while restaurants and bars can only offer drive-through or pick-up service. Many people have either been laid off or lost their jobs.
On Friday, Holcomb announced the tentative reopening of the state in five stages, with the state fully reopened by July 4 barring any unforeseen issues.
Stafford’s gave away 400 local restaurant $25 gift cards Saturday and had a drawing for two $200 gift cards – one to North Pointe Cinemas and the other to Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts.
While Stafford’s purchased the 400 gift cards, American Table, Subway, Penguin Point and Pizza Hut on North Detroit Street threw in additional sponsorship to make each gift card $30. Arby’s – the location on Ind. 15 only – gave away coupons for free roast beef sandwiches and french fries.
The giveaway was first come, first served with a limit of one gift card per vehicle.
As the giveaway got underway, Jim Stafford Jr. said, “I’m just really glad people are coming out and they must need it. I just want to help and I’m real thankful for it. I hope everything goes smooth.”
He said Warsaw police officers told him they already turned people away around 11 a.m., down at CR 200N, and told them to come back due to the long traffic line. The police department helped with traffic control along CR 200N.
“I see them now they’re lined up way out there,” Jim said. “I’m hoping we have enough cards for everybody that comes out. That’s my hope.”
He said Stafford’s has had people call and say they appreciate what they were doing.
“It’s a blessing, and we just want to pass it along,” Jim said.
Mitch Stafford separated the drawing tickets into two separate containers as they came in.
He also was happy with the turnout Saturday.
“It’s amazing. It’s just awesome. We’re hoping the people really need it get it. It’s just an amazing turnout. We’re very proud, and proud of the community. We’re just trying to help in any little way we can. So it’s a great thing, no doubt,” Mitch said.
Originally, there was only one drawing for a $200 gift card to North Pointe Cinemas. Mitch said after the Wagon Wheel learned what Stafford’s was doing, they called Wednesday and said what Stafford’s was doing was a “great” thing and offered to donate a $200 gift card.
Stafford’s Solid Waste Service celebrated 27 years in business in February. It is a trash and recycling company with 19 employees that serves Kosciusko, Marshall and Fulton counties and the lower part of Elkhart County.
James said, “We started with one old truck. And we just kept building up. People have been good to us.”
He said he worked for the city for 45 years, doing the same thing.
“Then when kids got out of school, we got into it and here we are,” he said, with a laugh.
While the giveaway was scheduled to start at noon, the first car arrived shortly after 9 a.m.
“I figured it would be like this,” James Stafford Sr. said shortly before the giveaway started. “People try to be first. Everyone wants to be No. 1 in line. But I knew it would be a big turnout. We’re just trying to help people, so they can help their kids with food and stuff. You’ve got to give back. They’ve helped us out over the years. You’ve got to give back, and we wanted to give back.”
The coronavirus pandemic and the stay-at-home executive order by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb in late March has led many businesses to close, at least temporarily, while restaurants and bars can only offer drive-through or pick-up service. Many people have either been laid off or lost their jobs.
On Friday, Holcomb announced the tentative reopening of the state in five stages, with the state fully reopened by July 4 barring any unforeseen issues.
Stafford’s gave away 400 local restaurant $25 gift cards Saturday and had a drawing for two $200 gift cards – one to North Pointe Cinemas and the other to Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts.
While Stafford’s purchased the 400 gift cards, American Table, Subway, Penguin Point and Pizza Hut on North Detroit Street threw in additional sponsorship to make each gift card $30. Arby’s – the location on Ind. 15 only – gave away coupons for free roast beef sandwiches and french fries.
The giveaway was first come, first served with a limit of one gift card per vehicle.
As the giveaway got underway, Jim Stafford Jr. said, “I’m just really glad people are coming out and they must need it. I just want to help and I’m real thankful for it. I hope everything goes smooth.”
He said Warsaw police officers told him they already turned people away around 11 a.m., down at CR 200N, and told them to come back due to the long traffic line. The police department helped with traffic control along CR 200N.
“I see them now they’re lined up way out there,” Jim said. “I’m hoping we have enough cards for everybody that comes out. That’s my hope.”
He said Stafford’s has had people call and say they appreciate what they were doing.
“It’s a blessing, and we just want to pass it along,” Jim said.
Mitch Stafford separated the drawing tickets into two separate containers as they came in.
He also was happy with the turnout Saturday.
“It’s amazing. It’s just awesome. We’re hoping the people really need it get it. It’s just an amazing turnout. We’re very proud, and proud of the community. We’re just trying to help in any little way we can. So it’s a great thing, no doubt,” Mitch said.
Originally, there was only one drawing for a $200 gift card to North Pointe Cinemas. Mitch said after the Wagon Wheel learned what Stafford’s was doing, they called Wednesday and said what Stafford’s was doing was a “great” thing and offered to donate a $200 gift card.
Stafford’s Solid Waste Service celebrated 27 years in business in February. It is a trash and recycling company with 19 employees that serves Kosciusko, Marshall and Fulton counties and the lower part of Elkhart County.
James said, “We started with one old truck. And we just kept building up. People have been good to us.”
He said he worked for the city for 45 years, doing the same thing.
“Then when kids got out of school, we got into it and here we are,” he said, with a laugh.
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