After 25 years of working out of a home kitchen, Mary Weary, owner of Menu Maker Catering, will celebrate the businesses’ grand opening of their new location, 102 Alpha Drive in Franklin, on Thursday, Sept 7 from 4p-6p.
Owner Mary Weary knows her company’s success hasn’t come by chance. To help celebrate its 25th anniversary and give back to the community that has supported it, the full-service catering company has selected new neighbor GraceWorks Ministries, Inc. as its community partner.
“GraceWorks is so excited and so grateful to have a community partner like Menu Maker Catering,” CEO/President Valencia Breckenridge said. “The fact that Mary Weary pledged her partnership to us before she even opened her new location means so much to us. It means even more that she is using her first official month of opening to make good on that pledge, by hosting a food drive and more on the behalf of our non-profit.”
During September, the public is encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items, paper products, diapers and feminine hygiene items in bins at Menu Maker. Also, customers of Menu Maker’s carry out service will also have an opportunity to “round up” their bill with a donation to GraceWorks or make a cash donation. At month’s end, Menu Maker will match all donations and present a check to GraceWorks to support the agency’s hunger prevention programs.
GraceWorks is headquartered two blocks away at 104 Southeast Parkway. Today the local non-profit agency, established in 1995, focuses on four key areas— family support, instructional programs, seasonal needs and hunger prevention.
Despite its standing as one of the nation’s wealthiest counties, hunger exists in Williamson County. In 2016, GraceWorks distributed $1.6 million worth of food, including 5,452 full grocery carts, to individuals and families from Brentwood to Spring Hill, Fairview to Nolensville.
In addition to its Franklin and Fairview food banks, GraceWorks distributes 700 free “Fuel Bags” weekly to county school children who qualify for free/reduced meal programs. The bags help ensure the children don’t go hungry over the weekend. Mobile food pantries are also set up throughout the year to reach those without access to the permanent food banks.
“Thank you, Menu Makers, for doing your part to ensure that no member of our community goes hungry,” added Breckenridge, who joined GraceWorks in November 2016.
After months of extensive renovations to an existing restaurant building, Menu Maker Catering moved into its first stand-alone location in late July. In addition to housing its catering operations, the new location allowed Menu Maker to open its first carryout lunch service. Meat-and-three options as well as fresh-packed salads, frozen casseroles and desserts are available 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays.
“It is our pleasure to partner with such a worthwhile organization in our new neighborhood,” Weary said. “The fact that we both feed people, albeit in very different ways, makes it even more satisfying.“GraceWorks’ programs fill many needs across the county, and I’m so pleased to help in this small way.”
To learn more about GraceWorks, its services, thrift store, furniture store and volunteer opportunities, visit GraceworksMinistries.net. For more information about Menu Maker Catering, visit menumakercatering.com or follow them on Facebook.
