Boys & Girls Club Receives record donation from local restaurant

December 7, 2016 1:30 am
Port Angeles Boys and Girls Club members accept a check for $4,149.86 from the Jig and Lure Fish Company staff, accompanied by United Way and Boys & Girls Club staff. From back left are executive chef Brian Lippert, server Shawna Cochrum, guest services manager Christina Fenner, United Way resource development manager Christy Smith, Boys & Girls Club Port Angeles unit director Ashley Woolsey, and co-owner Stephen Fofanoff. Submitted photo
Port Angeles Boys and Girls Club members accept a check for $4,149.86 from the Jig and Lure Fish Company staff, accompanied by United Way and Boys & Girls Club staff. From back left are executive chef Brian Lippert, server Shawna Cochrum, guest services manager Christina Fenner, United Way resource development manager Christy Smith, Boys & Girls Club Port Angeles unit director Ashley Woolsey, and co-owner Stephen Fofanoff. Submitted photo

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The Boys & Girls Clubs of Olympic Peninsula, Port Angeles Unit, receives the largest donation yet under Jig and Lure Fish Company restaurant’s unique no-tip policy. The check for $4,149.86 represents the largest show of support for the program from the local community. Recently, the restaurant partnered with United Way of Clallam County to help manage the growing program.

“We are so excited about our partnership with Jig and Lure Fish Company. Their business model includes the opportunity for patrons to give back to local nonprofits, enjoy local, delicious food and they pay their staff a living wage,” said Christy Smith, resource development manager for United Way Clallam County. “Every penny donated by customers visiting the restaurant goes directly to the charity of the month.”

Stephen Fofanoff, co-owner of Jig and Lure Fish Company, said, “We continue to be humbled and grateful for the tremendous out-pouring of support from local residents and visiting tourists. This program is one of the only ones of its kind in the United States and we’re very proud to continue to provide much-needed funds for our nonprofit partners covering every aspect of community-improvement and revitalization. Port Angeles is an amazing town and the residents here are very generous in their support of these worthy causes.”

The program, begun in April, already has raised over $20,000 for causes ranging from homelessness prevention, support for victims of domestic violence, free primary care medicine, and support for education and support services for youth and individuals with developmental disabilities. The employees do not accept tips at the restaurant and instead ask customers to donate for local causes, with one nonprofit partner each month being the recipient of the donations. For November, the Port Angeles Regional Food Bank is the partner of the month and Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County is slated for December.

“These programs are so vital to the community and every one who works at the restaurant is so proud to be part of something special that helps make our town a better place to live. It feels really good to give back,” Christina Fenner, guest services manager for Jig and Lure Fish Company, said.