Kindness during adversity: Businesses reach out to support others

Even as their stores and restaurants struggle with far lower numbers of customers than normal because people are staying home, area business owners are stepping up to support their neighbors in the community through free meals, discounts and other measures.

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center's Susan Vinson is handed a free meal from Taco Taco's food truck Thursday at the hospital.DAR/Paul Davis

“Las Margaritas, Maya’s and Taco Taco have supported this community with contributions to civic organizations, fundraisers and sporting events for many years,” said owner Francisco Esquivel.

On Thursday, Esquivel and his family ensured the employees of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center were fed a free meal from Taco Taco’s food truck.

Staff from Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center lines up outside the hospital for a free meal Thursday.DAR/Paul Davis

“My son Francis Jr. and I came up with the idea to bring the taco truck over there and try to help a little bit,” Esquivel said. “This time is very difficult for everybody, but I think the personnel at the hospital ... they deserve a good hot meal.”

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center's Anita Hill bags up to-go orders prepared by the Esquivel family's taco truck Thursday.DAR/Paul Davis

Esquivel estimated up to 400 people would be served between noon and 8 p.m. Thursday.

To-go orders are prepared near the Taco Taco food truck outside Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center Thursday as staff waits in line for a free meal, courtesy of the Esquivel family.DAR/Paul Davis

“We were just blown away by the idea that they would come in their time of need to serve the hospital employees,” said Lacey McClintock, director of marketing and community relations for the hospital.

Eduardo Corona from Las Margaritas Mexican Restaurant delivers hot food to the taco truck the Esquivel family set up outside Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center Thursday to feed staff members.DAR/Paul Davis

Esquivel said he wants “to be in a position where we can continue to serve the community in the future, and we fully understand others in our community are without jobs as well.”

To do that, he said, it will be important for customers to continue supporting businesses through take-out orders until things return to normal.

“If we can work through this difficult time by sharing together, the future will be even brighter than the past,” he said.

In Corning, Arkansas, Harold’s Bar BQ owner Linden Massey is providing free meals for truck drivers, a job which hits close to home for him.

“I’m a retired truck driver from the Springfield, Missouri, area, and I’ve been through ice storms and other things. I know what it’s like not being able to stop,” Massey said.

Attaining enough supplies is a problem Massey has been faced with this week as many stores have placed limits on items.

However, people across the region have come together to help.

“I put the word out, and we’ve been inundated with donations,” he said. “People are coming through the drive-thru and dropping off buns.”

Donations, he said, have come from all directions, including Poplar Bluff.

“I was kind of surprised, but really not,” Massey said of the outpouring of support. “People always come together.”

Massey said he will continue to provide the meals for truckers during the current crisis “as long as I have meat and hamburger buns. I’m going to try every day I’m open.”

At Rob’s Flowers in Poplar Bluff, red bows are being handed out as a reminder to pray for the country.

“On Tuesday, we started handing out red bows and taking donations, which will be given to the Bread Shed,” said owner Andy Knowles.

The Bread Shed will, in turn, use the money to provide food during its distribution days.

The red bow concept, Knowles said, “started in the floral industry. People put them on their porches, mail boxes or whatever, and they represent communities coming together and praying for our country.”

As of Thursday afternoon, Knowles said, he had given away about 300 bows.

“We’re prepared to give away 500,” but his supplier can provide more, Knowles said. “As long as people ask for them, we’ll give them away.”

Knowles said since the program started just a couple days ago, he’s been “extremely proud of Poplar Bluff. They’re ready to let people know we’re in this together.”

On Poplar Bluff’s south side, Simmons Automotive and Tire has begun a canned food drive, with all items donated going to the Bread Shed for local distribution.

“I think in this time of crisis not a lot of people are eating,” said manager John Coleman, so the program is a way to help.

In exchange for donated canned and non-perishable food items, Coleman said, the business will offer discounts on service.

The canned food drive, Coleman said, likely will “go on however long we need it to.”