Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2023
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More Than 1,000 Free Thanksgiving Meals Served at "Full Plates Full Hearts" Events in Detroit and Lansing
The culinary events were hosted by the Detroit Shipping Company, Lansing Shuffle, Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association, and Detroit Restaurant & Lodging Association
The culinary events were hosted by the Detroit Shipping Company, Lansing Shuffle, Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association, and Detroit Restaurant & Lodging Association
DETROIT , Mich. - On Monday, Nov. 20, Detroit Shipping Company and Lansing Shuffle opened their doors to make sure neighbors didn’t go without a home-cooked meal this Thanksgiving season. The ‘Full Plates, Full Hearts’ events, which were held in partnership with the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association and the Detroit Restaurant & Lodging Association, featured local chefs who shared their resources and talents from within the industry, demonstrating the spirit of hospitality to those in need.
“I’m grateful to all the volunteers who are giving their time, money, and goods,” said Jonathan Hartzell, one of Detroit Shipping Company’s and Lansing Shuffle’s owners. “We have increased our giving every year, and this year is no exception. Bringing Lansing shuffle in, allows us to double our meals and sundries delivered to the community. I couldn't be more proud of everyone involved. Thank you MRLA, DRLA, Detroit Shipping co and Lansing Shuffle for all the efforts.”
For the past five years, the annual Thanksgiving event has been held at Detroit Shipping Company in midtown Detroit. This year, ‘Full Plates, Full Hearts’ expanded to include an event at Lansing Shuffle in downtown Lansing. In total, the two events provided more than 1,000 delicious Thanksgiving meals to at-risk individuals and families through both dine-in service and special deliveries to select nonprofits.
“As good stewards of our state’s hospitality industry, our commitment to community takes on a delicious form during the Thanksgiving season thanks to the generosity of our members, including restaurant owners, local chefs and many dedicated volunteers,” said Justin Winslow, MRLA President and CEO. “We’re very grateful to everyone who helped make both of these events a tremendous success, ensuring no one left hungry for either delicious food or the spirit of fellowship.”
The Thanksgiving meals were prepared by chefs from participating restaurants in Detroit and Lansing. Detroit restaurants included: Bangkok 96 Street Food, COOP Caribbean Fusion, Halal Street, Momo Cha, Motor Burger, and 320 Coffee and Creamery. In Lansing, the restaurants included: Browndog @ The Shuffle, Irie Smoke Shack, Kin Thai, Osteria Vegana and Yeti Kitchen. The meals consisted of Herbes de Provence Roasted Chicken Thigh Sandwich, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Brussels, Cranberry Chutney, Apple Crisp. Special deliveries of
individually boxed meals also were made to five area nonprofit organizations, including City Rescue Mission, Eastside Community Action Center, Holy Cross Services, New Hope Community Center and South Lansing Ministries.
“For seven years, ‘Full Place, Full Hearts’ has tirelessly provided over 5,000 meals, uniting restaurant works, chefs, and hundreds of volunteers in a mission to spread love and support during the holiday season,” said Petro Drakopoulos, Director of Food and Beverage at Metro Hospitality Management and DRLA Board Chai. “This year, in collaboration with Lansing Shuffle, Detroit Shipping Company, Michigan Restaurant Association and Detroit Restaurant Association, we're taking our commitment to the next level. As the chef behind this movement, I take immense pride in everyone who has contributed. I urge you to join us in supporting volunteerism, reaching out to these entities, and collectively making a positive impact during a time when it's needed most. Let's come together and help those in need.”
To download photos from the events in Detroit and Lansing, click the this LINK.
“I’m grateful to all the volunteers who are giving their time, money, and goods,” said Jonathan Hartzell, one of Detroit Shipping Company’s and Lansing Shuffle’s owners. “We have increased our giving every year, and this year is no exception. Bringing Lansing shuffle in, allows us to double our meals and sundries delivered to the community. I couldn't be more proud of everyone involved. Thank you MRLA, DRLA, Detroit Shipping co and Lansing Shuffle for all the efforts.”
For the past five years, the annual Thanksgiving event has been held at Detroit Shipping Company in midtown Detroit. This year, ‘Full Plates, Full Hearts’ expanded to include an event at Lansing Shuffle in downtown Lansing. In total, the two events provided more than 1,000 delicious Thanksgiving meals to at-risk individuals and families through both dine-in service and special deliveries to select nonprofits.
“As good stewards of our state’s hospitality industry, our commitment to community takes on a delicious form during the Thanksgiving season thanks to the generosity of our members, including restaurant owners, local chefs and many dedicated volunteers,” said Justin Winslow, MRLA President and CEO. “We’re very grateful to everyone who helped make both of these events a tremendous success, ensuring no one left hungry for either delicious food or the spirit of fellowship.”
The Thanksgiving meals were prepared by chefs from participating restaurants in Detroit and Lansing. Detroit restaurants included: Bangkok 96 Street Food, COOP Caribbean Fusion, Halal Street, Momo Cha, Motor Burger, and 320 Coffee and Creamery. In Lansing, the restaurants included: Browndog @ The Shuffle, Irie Smoke Shack, Kin Thai, Osteria Vegana and Yeti Kitchen. The meals consisted of Herbes de Provence Roasted Chicken Thigh Sandwich, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Brussels, Cranberry Chutney, Apple Crisp. Special deliveries of
individually boxed meals also were made to five area nonprofit organizations, including City Rescue Mission, Eastside Community Action Center, Holy Cross Services, New Hope Community Center and South Lansing Ministries.
“For seven years, ‘Full Place, Full Hearts’ has tirelessly provided over 5,000 meals, uniting restaurant works, chefs, and hundreds of volunteers in a mission to spread love and support during the holiday season,” said Petro Drakopoulos, Director of Food and Beverage at Metro Hospitality Management and DRLA Board Chai. “This year, in collaboration with Lansing Shuffle, Detroit Shipping Company, Michigan Restaurant Association and Detroit Restaurant Association, we're taking our commitment to the next level. As the chef behind this movement, I take immense pride in everyone who has contributed. I urge you to join us in supporting volunteerism, reaching out to these entities, and collectively making a positive impact during a time when it's needed most. Let's come together and help those in need.”
To download photos from the events in Detroit and Lansing, click the this LINK.
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 and www.detroitrla.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.
About Lansing Shuffle
The Lansing Shuffle Food Hall & Social Club is a food, drink, art and entertainment venue created by the team behind Detroit Shipping Company. Located on the Lansing riverfront, Lansing Shuffle is a 14,000-square feet entertainment complex, featuring room for seven restaurants, full service indoor and outdoor bars, an ice cream bar, a rentable private lounge, a performance stage and outdoor shuffleboard pavilion. With a covered outdoor patio overlooking the river, Lansing Shuffle provides a social experience for patrons that offers a unique synergy with the reimagined riverfront. For more information, visit www.lansingshuffle.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 and www.detroitrla.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.
About Lansing Shuffle
The Lansing Shuffle Food Hall & Social Club is a food, drink, art and entertainment venue created by the team behind Detroit Shipping Company. Located on the Lansing riverfront, Lansing Shuffle is a 14,000-square feet entertainment complex, featuring room for seven restaurants, full service indoor and outdoor bars, an ice cream bar, a rentable private lounge, a performance stage and outdoor shuffleboard pavilion. With a covered outdoor patio overlooking the river, Lansing Shuffle provides a social experience for patrons that offers a unique synergy with the reimagined riverfront. For more information, visit www.lansingshuffle.com.
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