Barry's Cafe Lends a Helping Hand to Local Firefighters

Nearly 15 years ago, Barry Doyle was inspired by local firefighters who saved a customer's house by quickly responding at 3 a.m. When a huge ice storm hit the area, Doyle and the Barry's Café crew brought hot coffee to firefighters and police managing the crisis. The café became a favorite firefighter hangout, and Barry's Café found a new mission. Its Feed the Firefighters Foundation has supplied no-cost emergency food service to 75 fire stations in Wake County for 10 years. Last year, it served nearly 1,800 meals through its 31-foot mobile unit.

RELIABILITY FACTOR: The area fire departments and emergency responders know to call us if they need emergency food service. We get called 35 to 55 times a year. In addition to emergency responders, we provide food for victims, such as people evacuated from their homes because of a gas leak or those waiting for loved ones to be rescued or recovered from lakes.

TRUE CALLING: Some of these events require 120 responders for 10 hours. That's more than 1,000 man-hours — ultimately they will need food and beverages. Our employees really take pride in the fact that they help firefighters. I have a list of eight volunteers, but finding the people right when you need them can be tricky. The first time we provided emergency food service, we were in the red. But within 10 days, our business nearly doubled. I said to myself, “I guess I'm supposed to be doing this.” GUEST SERVICE: We show customers what emergency food service work is all about through our memorabilia collection. Now, when an emergency call comes in, our customers have jumped up and asked whether they could help. Our customers also support our work by contributing a couple hundred dollars in change a month through a donation box by our cash register. We get other help from local businesses.

SUCCESS STORY: In 2006, we bought a used mobile kitchen with a bathroom to get food service to emergency locations more quickly. When several stations are sent to one location, I get paged with the address
and the number of engines involved so I know just how many people are there and what time to bring food. Then I bring the mobile unit (stocked
with pre-cooked meats and beverages) to the café and load it with other essentials. We're there within 30 minutes, with enough hot food for 60 people.

GROWING SUPPORT: This is something that restaurants, with all of this food, can do easily and it makes a big difference. Our foundation reimburses other restaurants that help supply food in emergencies. We introduce them to emergency responders and open the lines of communication so they can get involved too. It's my honor and pleasure to be able to take care of these firefighters — they are the real heroes.

Restaurant Stats

Name: Barry's Cafe
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Size: 130 Seat Restaurant

Employees: 16

Featured Video

Watch Video