Image Via: (Morgan Mitchell | SJVT)
Big Rick’s Burgers and Wings is located in the small northern Maine town of Madawaska and they know how to take care of the locals. The town may be small, but the hearts of the residents are surely big.
Maine Governor Janet Mills has issued a mandated stay at home order for the entire state of Maine. With restaurants across the state forced to close their dining rooms, many have turned to a take out only operation. That was such the case for Big Rick’s Burgers and Wings, owned by Ricky Nadeau. With the majority of the restaurant being shut down, Nadeau was forced to come up with a way to keep his employees working and getting paid, the situation weighed heavily on Nadeau.
Ricky Nadeau and Staff – Big Rick’s Burgers and Wings
Nadeau, speaking with the local paper (Fiddlehead Focus), had this to say:
“I was sitting in my truck in between deliveries and my Facebook messenger rang,” Nadeau said. “I looked down at the message and it was from a college friend.”
In had been nearly a decade since Nadeau has spoken to his long time friend Tom Trainor.
“Hey Ricky, it’s been several years since we’ve seen each other,” the message read. “I follow all of the good that you do for the community of Madawaska and I see you and your staff are now in need of a little assistance.”
Trainor paid Nadeau a $100 for pizza orders to go out to those in need.
“I can imagine there is a family up there that would love a good meal,” Trainor wrote. “I know it’s not much but it’s something.”
Nadeau thanked his old friend for the kind gesture via a Facebook post. Being taken back by the generosity of his friend, Nadeau decided to make that $100 go as far as he could make it go. The restaurant then dished out 10, one topping pizzas and gave them out to those who inquired.
The next morning, Nadeau awoke to a slew of Facebook messages from those who wanted to donate money for pizzas too — And that was the beginning of something awesome!
“We have also received donations specific to be given to health care professionals, local essential businesses, truckers, law enforcement first responders …” Nadeau said. “We have delivered daily to the surrounding communities to families also in need.”
To date, Big Rick’s Burgers and Wings has been able to deliver over a whopping 340 pizzas to those in need! How cool is that?!?
To donate, pay-it-forward or request one of the pizzas, anyone can call the restaurant at 207-728-9098.