QC restaurant donates to Greenfield tornado victims
A Quad-City business that prides itself on feeding souls is stepping up to feed a community in need.
The community of Greenfield, Iowa, is just beginning to recover after the town of 2,000 took a direct hit from an EF3 tornado. Four people were killed, and dozens were hurt. Entire blocks of homes were flattened that will take months and years to recover. However, they’re not doing it alone, because help is pouring in from all over.
Toni’s Smokin’ Grill in East Moline will be helping the victims in Greenfield. The owner of the pop-up restaurant said she needed to help as soon as she saw the aftermath. “I woke up that morning and just saw the devastation,” Toni Bare said. “I remember before we went to bed that night, we lost power. The winds started picking up like crazy, and it took me a little bit to go to sleep. I was nervous, but then when I woke up in the morning, it was all over my phone, and there was no hesitation. I said, ‘yeah, we got to go out there.'”
“We’re coming from out of town,” Andre Cato, a manager at Toni’s Smokin’ Grill, said. “I think it’s going to make a big difference for them and help them get their spirits up at least a little bit. There’s going to be a lot of tears. We’ve seen the videos of what it’s looking like out there, but I expect it to be something that’s revitalizing and going to give the people out there a little hope, like people actually care.”
Toni’s posted on social media to ask the community to help with any donations possible, utilizing tools like Walmart online shopping. It allows anyone to donate, even if they’re not in the area. “Everybody came in and chipped in, and it’s a beautiful thing,” Cato said. “I love it. I’m enjoying it, but at the same time I’m feeling bad. I love the support, the way people are reaching out to her, and saying we have something to donate for you.”
Toni’s will travel to Greenfield on Saturday, dropping off their donations at various sites in Greenfield where people can feel the support from the Quad Cities. “That is an act of God that no one can predict,” Bare said. “I’m an emotional person already. I’m going to try my best to put my big girl britches on and realize why I’m there. I don’t want to cause any more heart ache. I just want to be able to be somebody that helps, even if it’s just for a small moment. That’s it.”
To donate to Toni’s cause before Saturday, click here.
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