Company donates food to fire department after having to cancel party due to COVID variant

RUSSELLVILLE, Ky. – Logan Aluminum planned to host a large party for all of their employees at Beech Bend this past Saturday, but because of the Delta variant increase, the party was cancelled, but the food order was not.

According to Bri Duncan, the communication specialist for Logan Aluminum, the company had already paid for food to feed 2,000 people, so, upon cancelling the party, something had to be done with the large amount of food.

“Due to the last-minute cancellation, the food order, we were not able to cancel that. So, we worked with Quality Catering in Bowling Green and luckily, they were able to provide that to the fire department to enjoy over the weekend. So, I think we covered about two shifts with the fire department, and I think they’re still eating on it,” said Duncan.

Hotdogs, banana pudding, beans and more were all available for the first responders to enjoy.

Logan Aluminum, Inc. President Mike Buckentin said the risk was too high to hold the company party.

“As much as we had been looking forward to spending time together as a group outside of work, the risk was just too high, and the health and safety of our employees and their families is our top priority. It was a difficult decision to make, but with the help of Beech Bend Park and Quality Catering, we were able to turn an unfortunate situation into something positive,” Buckentin said.

Katie McKee with the Bowling Green Fire Department said the kind gesture was greatly appreciated by the recipients.

“When food is donated to the fire department, we are extremely grateful for it. These guys work 24 hour shifts and they actually, every pay period, pool their money together and they use their own money to purchase groceries to cook while they’re on shift. So any time food is donated to them it’s definitely appreciated. It goes to good use, and it helps them out,” said McKee.

“They put their lives on the line. They don’t all the times know what to expect when they’re going into certain situation. So, we have a lot of respect and admiration for those first responders,” said Duncan.

According to Duncan, Beech Bend is still honoring the tickets purchased by employees for the luncheon to be used any time for the rest of the season.