A Connecticut restaurant that has raised thousands of dollars for charity by donating from sale of their popular chicken wings in 20 flavors is at again, this time in Super Bowl and March Madness seasons.
Through March 15, The Store Bar & Grill in Torrington will donate $1 for every dozen wings sold to Friendly Hands Food Bank, also in Torrington.
“Recent cuts in social programs and the rising costs of groceries have forced more Connecticut families to face food insecurity,” said Dena Franks, co-owner of the restaurant/bar.
“Being in the food business, we are excited to use one of our most popular menu items to fundraise for the largest food pantry in Northwest Connecticut and make a positive impact into the new year,” she said.
A spokeswoman for Friendly Hands said that according to estimates from Feeding America, more than 516,000 Connecticut residents struggle with hunger. Since 1991, the Friendly Hands Food Bank has been alleviating food insecurity, preventing food waste, and nourishing thousands of families across the region it serves by collecting and distributing food, organizing donations and establishing supportive programs, she said.
There are people in CT who go hungry so pets can eat. They are among 500,000 who are food insecure.
She said other crucial initiatives spearheaded by Friendly Hands Food Bank include: Thanksgiving Baskets, Christmas Gifts, Easter Baskets, Life Skills Classes, the Children’s Birthday Program, Client Pet Food Pantry, Mobile Food Pantry, Bottle and Can Collections and High School Volunteer Programs, among others.
Franks said the idea to host a Charity Chicken Wing Fest stems from the recent surge in chicken wings on a global level.
The Store offers flavors such as buffalo, garlic parmesan, barbecue, sweet chili, Torrington Hot, mango habanero, Jamaican jerk, spicy harissa, lemon pepper, Marsala, spicy Mediterranean, Tunisian buffalo and garlic hot.
Franks said their now famous wings start with good-sized wings, which are then brined, baked, then flash fried before being tossed into the flavors and then served.
“With the upcoming football playoffs, Super Bowl Sunday and March Madness, our famous chicken wings will be in even more demand by customers,” said co-owner Rodger Mort, who is also Franks’ fiance. “We anticipate a huge swelling of support for our original fundraising program to benefit the Friendly Hands Food Bank throughout the next few months.”
Besides the Charity Chicken Wing Fest, The Store has helped the food bank by donating a pallet of turkeys for Thanksgiving, holding frequent food drives within the restaurant and sponsoring various activities of the nonprofit.
The neighborhood restaurant at 99 Turner Ave., Torrington, is open Tuesdays through Sundays. A dozen wings cost $19.
Last year the couple used their chicken wings program to raise thousands for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which serves first responders.
Customers rave about the food, service and family-like feel at The Store Bar & Grille.
Last year when business was slow in the restaurant industry, Franks promoted business the old fashioned way personally handing out flyers to hundreds of people at Connecticut summer events.
It worked, the restaurant was packed later that same day.
Franks said at the time that she believes “the personal touch” helps.
Franks’ family has “deep roots” in Torrington and she grew up in the neighborhood of her restaurant.
After decades in hospitality it was a dream of Franks to own a restaurant and bar. Fiance Mort made it happen.
He is also partner and president of a successful business, “Packaging and Crating Technologies,” or PACT, and also has another related business. He often uses the PACT platform to raise money for veterans.