THE CITY OF NORMAN OPENED A NEW PARK AND IT FEATURES A NEW PUBLIC ART SCULPTURE

The idea for the family meals came about when Beard was looking for another source of income.

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“It is hard because you're used to bringing in a certain amount at the restaurant and we’re doing not even a third of what we usually do in a week” said Beard.

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The changes in business brought on by the coronavirus has caused The Railshake Brewery to put about 20 of its employees out of a job, not including the restaurant's seasonal workers.

Although, Beard is staying optimistic through the ever changing environment brought on by the virus. She encourages other small business owners to find positive ways to get through this financially unstable time.

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“Make this a positive if you can,” said Beard. “One thing that helped me was donating meals to the hospital... Always try to do something positive to make yourself feel better about the situation because it’s tough.

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Beard explained she has always made an effort to volunteer her time and donate to others in the community. Therefore upon hearing of the struggles facing her friends who are nurses with finding time to eat while also fighting COVID-19, she had the idea of donating the new family meals to the hospital in Highland.

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Beard then updated The Railshake Brewery’s social media pages alerting the public of the idea and asking for their help. The community has responded by sending money donations to Beard’s Venmo account, in order for her to provide the local hospital staff with the homemade family meals.

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For Beard’s Venmo information, one can private message the restaurant's social media pages or send them an email. A family meal typically costs around $30, but Beard said any amount will help in donating food to local health care workers. 

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The Railshake Brewery owner misses her customers, and also encourages community members to keep supporting small businesses throughout the pandemic.

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“Choose a small business over going to Walmart or choose a small business over going to Mcdonalds or Subway,” said Beard. “...because we’re the ones that are going to need it most. We don't have that corporate income.

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To order the curbside pickup or delivery from The Railshake Brewery’s regular menu, customers can call (618) 651-4900 after 3 p.m. on Fridays and 4 p.m. on Saturdays. To make a family meal order, one must direct message the restaurant's social media pages or send them an email.