CINCINNATI — As the holiday season approaches, food is at the forefront of many minds. A Clifton restaurant is working to ensure everyone gets a hot meal this year.

“That’s the best part of owning a restaurant is being able to give back and be a part of the community,” said Andrew Schlanser, owner of Good Plates Eatery.

Good Plates Eatery opened right next to the University of Cincinnati campus in 2020. Since then, they have been offering free meals during the holidays.

“The kids couldn’t come home, it was just a weird time…we wanted to do something, so why not make some meals and tell them to come get them,” Schlanser said.

Schlanser and his team distribute the meals the day before Thanksgiving. Their doors open at 11:30 a.m. and they go until they run out of food, which Schlanser said usually happens around 3 p.m.

“It requires no reason, no questions asked — just come in and have a meal, whatever you need,” Schlanser said. “Maybe you just have to work, maybe you’re tired, maybe you have six kids and you’re like, ‘I don’t want to make a giant meal.’

Good Plates Eatery said in previous years they had lines on the sidewalk with hundreds of people waiting before they even opened their doors. This year, their goal is to distribute 5,000 meals.

“This is our fifth season, with that we’re saying five years, 5,000 meals,” Schlanser said.

When we asked Schlanser about the community’s reaction, he said he had to hold back tears.

“It’s really cool, it’s nice to see people enjoying it,” Schlanser said. “I mean, everyone has their own thing, so it’s nice.”

But with the number of meals distributed increasing, Good Plates Eatery can no longer fund it alone and is asking for donations from the community to help reach its goal.

“Every little bit helps, it all goes towards meals. And then whatever’s left over, we do it again on Christmas, well on Christmas Eve,” Schlanser said.

Good plate restaurant

On Christmas Eve, the restaurant also hosts a toy drive for those who come. They also conduct a coat drive during both holiday meal drives. Giving people everything they need for the holiday season in one place.

“There’s no reason not to do it every year,” Schlanser said. “I wish we could do this every day.”

Schlanser says the easiest way to donate is via Venmo @goodplateseatery, or by dropping off a check or cash donation to the restaurant located at 235 W McMillan St, Cincinnati, OH 45219.

Good plate restaurant

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