MENASHA, Wis. — People across the Fox Valley region are still going strong in their recovery efforts.
What You Need To Know
Since Monday’s storm, business and restaurants have been offering free services to those impacted
Taylor Lantange giving up her time to be there for the people in her community, even though her home was also impacted by the storm
This something Alison Thao appreciates, especially with everything she’s had to endure over the week
Both businesses plan to host events to give back to those impacted, and any resources that go unused will be donated to clean-up crews
Since Monday’s storm, businesses and restaurants have been offering free services to those impacted.
They’re providing some form of relief for people affected, whether that’s free food or just giving them a place to charge their phones.
Taylor Lantagne is one of the managers at Stone Toad Bar and Grill.
She’s giving up her time to be there for the people in her community, even though her home was also impacted by the storm.
“They have nothing left,” said Lantagne. “My house is at least still standing. My animals survived, my clothes survived, my appliances survived. There are people that don’t have anything. So, the fact that I can be here and help people that are worse off than me is a better feeling.”
Mark Dix is the owner of Stone Toad Bar and Grill. He spread the word about free meals on social media.
Since then, he said many people have come for help and have made donations at the same time.
“People have helped each other so much,” said Dix. “They’ve sacrificed from their own the things they need to give to others. I mean, little kids from 10 years old up to 80-year-old people are all helping, and they’re doing a heck of a job. It’s restored my faith in humanity.”
Mihm’s Charcoal Grill is another business that’s providing relief for the community.
Co-owner Amber Hamilton said even though they’re trying to give back, the community is giving to them tenfold.
“We’ve had so many people reach out to us saying, “What do you need? How can we help? How can we donate?,” said Hamilton. “We’re like, so much information, we didn’t know exactly what to do with it. So we just know, you know, being Mihm’s, we can at least provide food and a place for people to come hang out while they don’t have power.”
That’s something Alison Thao appreciates, especially with everything she’s had to endure over the past week.
“I know that we’ve been without power and water,” said Thao. “As much as like we wish we could cook, and we’re used to doing that, it’s really easy to, and it’s really nice to see like the community come together and offer like free things like this.”
For Lantagne, seeing the effort that everyone is putting in to provide relief means everything.
“I’ve been so grateful for anyone that is just random people that would stop to help clean up, or people that would come through with water or Gatorade because it’s been so hot, or sandwiches, chips, anything to keep us going to clean up the debris,” said Lantagne. “Everyone’s come together, and it’s an amazing sight to see.”
Both businesses plan to host events to give back to those impacted, and any resources that go unused will be donated to cleanup crews.
Dining and Cooking