'Double blessings': Locals and Everett’s donating meals to first responders

WASILLA — Locals Pub and Pizzeria and Everett’s are currently among local restaurants donating meals with the help of their customers to support local first responders in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Right now, Valley residents can pledge a pizza at Locals or pledge a burger at the Grill inside Grand View Hotel. Both of which are owned by Kimberly and Ernest Emmi who started this new program the week of March 30.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Locals Pub and Pizzeria general manager Sam Smith said. “We have to look after our community right now.”

The pledge concept is really taking off, according to Smith. He said they’ve had numerous pledges a day since they started. For every meal pledged at either location will be matched by Locals. Sponsored meals are then delivered to places like Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

“It keeps us busy and it helps out the community. This way I can still keep a few people employed,” Smith said.

Smith said they’re currently working with about a quarter of their normal staff pool.

“I’ve had a few self quarantine themselves and I can’t fault them for that. I won’t blame them for that,” Smith said. “People keep talking about ‘getting back to normal.’ I don’t even know what normal is anymore.”

Locals recently installed a sneeze protection system, which to Smith marked another surreal milestone in the ever evolving coronavirus situation.

Locals is currently offering curbside service and delivery with the same, full menu from before until further notice. They’re open from 11 a.m to 9 p.m on weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.

They’re only allowing one person at the counter at a to maintain social distancing practices. They’re also offering a 15 percent discount to all medical personnel and first responders.

“We’re doing the best we can… We’re going day by day,” Smith said. “Pledge a burger or pledge a pizza for our first responders. They’re out on the front lines. The first responders, we need to keep them going because their services are essential to our community.”

Everett’s is offering a similar incentive for their customers. They’e currently matching every entree purchased with a meal for local first responders, focusing heavily on the hospital.

At the end of the day, Everett’s staff tally up the donations and prepare fresh meals that are hand delivered to the hospital, according to general manager Verna Bartlett.

“We look at it like a double blessing,” Bartlett said. “Because we feel like we’re blessed by you wanting to order from us, then we can feel blessed to serve you our delicious food; and then you can feel blessed by us knowing that we’re paying it forward; and we’re gonna bless hospital personnel, just to appreciate what they’re doing for us every day.

Everett’s owner Jerry Neeser is known for his community mindedness and overall support to his employees, according to Bartlett. She said he’s no stranger to good deeds in the community like sponsoring local sports teams. She said after the virus hit, he stepped up the community support and the remaining crew is leaping at the opportunity to help out.

“We have an amazing team... The minute you help somebody else, it puts a light in your spirit.” Bartlett said. “We’re all in this together.”

Everett’s is currently offering curbside service and delivery. Their current hours have changed to Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To contact Locals, call 907-357-5000. To contact Everett’s, call 907-357-3100.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com