Papi's Grill Offers Discount to Customers Helping the Needy

By Allison Canter

Budd Honeycutt founded the Ashe Sharing Center about 15 years ago. He dedicated his time, energy and

tireless good humor to those in need. Today, the sharing center is operated by volunteers from area churches from all denominations. The Ashe Sharing Center, located on Third Street, in the alley beside McNeil's Furniture, serves the needy population of the county with food, clothes and household items that are available at no cost to clients who qualify. "We have enough volunteers at the center that we each only have to work one day a month at the center. Some enjoy doing it so much, they want to come in more than just one day a month," said Ashe Sharing Centers Barbara Sears. Several churches in Ashe periodically rotate, and different churches have food drives to support the center. One church donated 1,400 pounds of food in one month.

The center, which operates mostly on donations, is teaming up with Papi's Grill to help some of those who are in need in Ashe County. "I wanted to do something for the community, with the economy being the way it is. I have been hearing all these stories of people with no money for fuel," said Maria Perez, owner of Papi's Grill in West Jefferson.

After getting together with the people of the Sharing Center, Perez decided that one way she could help was to do what would be called Pajama Fridays. Customers can bring a new and warm pair of pajamas, either child or adult size, into Papi's Grill, on Fridays through the month of December and they will receive a 10 percent discount on their meal. "Pajamas are just like a comfort thing," said Perez. At the end of the Pajama Drive, the sharing center will pick up the pajamas and they will be distributed to those most in need.

"With all the local business' closing, more and more families need help this year," said Sears. "The whole thing is a huge community contribution, in which the Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission, located on 88 West in Warrensville is a part of. B.R.O.C. has a shop that sells clothes at low costs and, if people qualify they can get assistance on their heating bills. When the Sharing Center gets things they can not use, B.R.O.C. sells them by the pound for rags, using the money to pay qualified people's heating bills. We are neighbors helping neighbors," explained Sears.

Papi's Grill, located at 601 South Jefferson Avenue in West Jefferson, has been open since Sept. 19 serving Cuban American food. The grill is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Thursday; 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday; 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Hours are weather permitting.

The Ashe Sharing Center is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m.

For more information on Pajama Fridays or the Ashe Sharing Center, call the sharing center at (336) 846-7019 or Papi's Grill at (336) 246-7274.