Jersey Mike’s fundraiser raises $10K for Glasgow foundation

GLASGOW, Ky. (WNKY) — A special Day of Giving held Wednesday at the Glasgow Jersey Mike’s raised $10,000 for the T.J. Community Mission Foundation, money that will support programs helping people across South Central Kentucky with needs ranging from prescription assistance to food insecurity.

The restaurant donated 50% of its gross proceeds from the day, while local owner Austin Wetzel matched that amount with a personal donation, according to foundation Executive Director Randy Burns.

Donation will support local programs

Burns said the foundation operates about 13 programs through its community medical care, community relief and other initiatives.

Those programs include prescription medication assistance for seniors, help with dentures and hearing aids, and food assistance for families.

“When you think about the number of people that we’re able to help with prescription medication, with a gift like this, or, you know, a senior who can’t afford dentures or hearing aids and needs assistance, and we’re able to help in those ways,” Burns said.

The foundation also operates the largest food pantry in Barren County, Burns said, serving dozens of families each month.

“To be able to think about the number of bags of groceries or boxes of groceries that we’re able to provide for families with a gift like this, like, it goes so far and makes such a dramatic difference and impact,” he said.

Community turns out to help

Burns said businesses, banks and individual customers supported the fundraiser throughout the day. Some offices placed group orders, while others stopped in because they knew part of their purchase would support the foundation.

“This community just really, really rallies around community need and support, and it just really makes it a special place,” Burns said.

Burns also spent part of the day at the restaurant helping hand out sandwiches and thanking customers and employees.

He said Jersey Mike’s brought in additional staff from other locations to handle business that was three to four times the volume of a typical Wednesday.

Foundation focuses on broader needs

T.J. Community Mission Foundation is the philanthropic arm of T.J. Regional Health.

Its work includes programs aimed at addressing food insecurity, homelessness and mental health, along with providing capital support for T.J. Regional Health.

Burns said partnerships with local businesses and donors help the foundation expand that work.

“The more people that we can get involved with helping us do what we do is, you know, it just means the more people that we’re able to help,” he said.