Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 26, 2024
Detroit Hospitality Leaders Serve Up Hundreds of Free Thanksgiving Meals at Annual "Full Plates Full Hearts" Event
The annual charity event was hosted by the Detroit Shipping Company, Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) and the Detroit Restaurant & Lodging Association
The annual charity event was hosted by the Detroit Shipping Company, Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) and the Detroit Restaurant & Lodging Association
DETROIT , Mich. - On Monday, Nov. 25, Detroit Shipping Company opened their doors to make sure neighbors didn’t go without a home-cooked meal this Thanksgiving season. The ‘Full Plates, Full Hearts’ event was hosted by the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) and the Detroit Restaurant & Lodging Association (DRLA) featuring local chefs who shared their resources and talents from within the industry, demonstrating the spirit of hospitality to those in need. Full Plates Full Hearts has been a longstanding tradition for Michigan’s hospitality industry since 2017.
“As members of Michigan’s hospitality industry, we take serious pride in providing memorable and meaningful service to our communities,” said Justin Winslow, President & CEO of the MRLA. “We are grateful to everyone who helped make yesterday’s event an overwhelming success, ensuring that hundreds of people were served with a generous helping of Michigan hospitality and side of holiday spirit.”
For the past seven years, the annual Thanksgiving event has been held at Detroit Shipping Company in midtown Detroit. In total, the Full Plates Full Hearts initiative has delivered thousands of delicious Thanksgiving meals to individuals and families through both dine-in service and special deliveries to select nonprofits. This year, volunteers delivered 850 meals to the Detroit-area community.
The Thanksgiving meals featured a grilled turkey burger with cheese, along with sides of sweet yams, roasted seasonal vegetables, herb stuffing, and pumpkin pie. All the meals were prepared by chefs from participating restaurants in Detroit, including Motor Burger, Bangkok 96 Street Food, Momo Cha, Takitos AF, Halal Street, Minus 320, Republica, Heirloom Hospitality, Avalon Bakery and American Coney Island. Special deliveries of individually boxed meals were made to five area nonprofit organizations, including St. Patrick Senior Center, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, North Corktown Community Association and Hubbard Richard Neighborhood Association.
This year’s Full Plates Full Hearts also served as the launch for the Chef Max Hardy Memorial Scholarship in partnership with the Michigan Hospitality Foundation (MHF). This scholarship will be awarded to a Detroit Public Schools student each spring in honor of Chef Max Hardy’s role in creating the Full Plates Full Hearts event.
“Seven years ago, I helped found the Full Plates Full Hearts tradition here in Michigan, and each year I am more and more encouraged by the support and energy of the event,” says Chef Petro Drakopoulos, Chair of the DRLA. “We have delivered over 5,000 meals to people in need since we started, and I can attest that even small acts of kindness can make a world of difference. I encourage every member of the hospitality community to find a way to volunteer, connect with your community, and make a positive impact in the lives of those around you this holiday season.”
“As members of Michigan’s hospitality industry, we take serious pride in providing memorable and meaningful service to our communities,” said Justin Winslow, President & CEO of the MRLA. “We are grateful to everyone who helped make yesterday’s event an overwhelming success, ensuring that hundreds of people were served with a generous helping of Michigan hospitality and side of holiday spirit.”
For the past seven years, the annual Thanksgiving event has been held at Detroit Shipping Company in midtown Detroit. In total, the Full Plates Full Hearts initiative has delivered thousands of delicious Thanksgiving meals to individuals and families through both dine-in service and special deliveries to select nonprofits. This year, volunteers delivered 850 meals to the Detroit-area community.
The Thanksgiving meals featured a grilled turkey burger with cheese, along with sides of sweet yams, roasted seasonal vegetables, herb stuffing, and pumpkin pie. All the meals were prepared by chefs from participating restaurants in Detroit, including Motor Burger, Bangkok 96 Street Food, Momo Cha, Takitos AF, Halal Street, Minus 320, Republica, Heirloom Hospitality, Avalon Bakery and American Coney Island. Special deliveries of individually boxed meals were made to five area nonprofit organizations, including St. Patrick Senior Center, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, North Corktown Community Association and Hubbard Richard Neighborhood Association.
This year’s Full Plates Full Hearts also served as the launch for the Chef Max Hardy Memorial Scholarship in partnership with the Michigan Hospitality Foundation (MHF). This scholarship will be awarded to a Detroit Public Schools student each spring in honor of Chef Max Hardy’s role in creating the Full Plates Full Hearts event.
“Seven years ago, I helped found the Full Plates Full Hearts tradition here in Michigan, and each year I am more and more encouraged by the support and energy of the event,” says Chef Petro Drakopoulos, Chair of the DRLA. “We have delivered over 5,000 meals to people in need since we started, and I can attest that even small acts of kindness can make a world of difference. I encourage every member of the hospitality community to find a way to volunteer, connect with your community, and make a positive impact in the lives of those around you this holiday season.”
About the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,500 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 450,000 people and creating nearly $44.6 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org.
About the Detroit Restaurant & Lodging Association
The Detroit Restaurant & Lodging Association, which is part of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association, represents the local interests of the hospitality industry that employs more than 17,000 people and generates approximately $1 billion in sales in Detroit. It provides owners and operators in the Tri-County area with access to member benefit programs, valuable industry connections, political and community representation and support for initiatives that will best impact member businesses. For more information, visit www.detroitrla.org.
About the Detroit Shipping Company
Detroit Shipping Co. is a restaurant collective and beer garden featuring five unique food truck-style eateries, two full-service bars, a coffee and ice cream shop, a small outdoor stage, galleries for local artists and retailers, and two private lounges. All constructed from refashioned shipping containers. And all located within a few miles of everything you already love about Detroit. For more information, visit www.detroitshippingcompany.com.
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,500 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 450,000 people and creating nearly $44.6 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org.
About the Detroit Restaurant & Lodging Association
The Detroit Restaurant & Lodging Association, which is part of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association, represents the local interests of the hospitality industry that employs more than 17,000 people and generates approximately $1 billion in sales in Detroit. It provides owners and operators in the Tri-County area with access to member benefit programs, valuable industry connections, political and community representation and support for initiatives that will best impact member businesses. For more information, visit www.detroitrla.org.
About the Detroit Shipping Company
Detroit Shipping Co. is a restaurant collective and beer garden featuring five unique food truck-style eateries, two full-service bars, a coffee and ice cream shop, a small outdoor stage, galleries for local artists and retailers, and two private lounges. All constructed from refashioned shipping containers. And all located within a few miles of everything you already love about Detroit. For more information, visit www.detroitshippingcompany.com.
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