Welch restaurants provide free meals to flood victims
WELCH, W.Va. (WVVA) - McDowell County is still on the road to recovery after widespread flooding crippled the area. In an effort to provide some sort of relief, two restaurants less affected by flooding are going out of their way to give out meals free of charge.
“We figured if God blessed our business to be open we’re going to bless the community with what we have,” said Roberto Diaz, owner of Latin Appalachian.
Diaz says Latin Appalachian has given out around 5,000 meals so far.
“We completely halted normal restaurant work and we’ve rearranged our kitchen, rearranged out here. It’s all functioning basically like a soup kitchen right now,” said Diaz.
Diaz says a local food bank has donated a lot of the food he’s been able to cook. He says food as well as other supplies are being delivered all over the county thanks to volunteers.
“We have a lot of volunteers coming in. Some on side by sides, some on 4x4 trucks. Some areas they’re unable to get to they’re taking stuff off into,” said Diaz.
Diaz says he’s going to be cooking food for those in need as long as he has ingredients to put together.
Another Welch restaurant, The Little Grill and Chill has also been giving out free food to those in need.
“It just makes me feel good to have the opportunity to provide to our community. A lot of people don’t have right now, they’re doing without. So for me to be able to be a local business and be able to provide for the community free of charge if they need it and that means a lot to me,” said Jillian Goins, owner of The Little Grill and Chill.
Goins says the restaurant had the privilege of feeding members of the West Virginia National Guard who are in the area helping with relief efforts. She says the restaurant is not looking for donations but they are accepting volunteers.
“If someone would like to come down and volunteer, pass out food or bagged food or maybe drive meals to folks shut in. The help is more than welcome. They can come in and see us and do that,” said Goins.
If you’re interested in volunteering to help either restaurant, The Little Grill and Chill can be contacted by phone at 681-201-2306. Diaz’s restaurant can be called at 681-201-2199.
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