Edgefield community coming together to help a local restaurant and its employees

EDGEFIELD, S.C. (WJBF) – Two weeks after a fire shut down the Edgefield Pizza Hut, local restaurants and ministries are coming together to help.

“My first reaction was I’m sad that it burnt down but my second reaction is I really wanted them to know how much this community appreciates the hard work that they do for us,: said Christine Smith, Christines Farm to Fork. “To feed us as the community and you know I thought about what happened if this was me. I donated a $400 dollar dinner here at the restaurant, and for every ten dollars that someone donates. Hundred percent of the proceeds is going to go to the employees.”

The restaurant has a special place in the hearts of many people who live around here. So, after that April 25 ^th fire, many wanted to do all they can to help the employees and let them know they are supporting them.

“The Manager there has been absolutely wonderful anytime that we come in,” said Janice Cleveland, Loaves of Love Family Ministry. “He’s really good to him employees and when it burned about two weeks ago, I thought immediately that we should do a bread drive to help the employees. Because they are going to be out of a job and our of employment and even though they are offered other pizza huts to be employed at. They still have to have the transportation to get there and have gas money.”

So far Cleveland has raised $400 dollars and Smith has raised 3600 dollars for the employees. Many were devastated and will be missing the pizza hut.

“It was sad that it burnt down but they are going to rebuild it and we are happy about that. There were some good employees, long term employees there. And we enjoy you know picking up a pizza a couple times a month,” Hattie Oucts, Cooks Employee.

There are plans to rebuild the pizza hut and is currently in the process to demo the existing building.

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