Shoreline Jersey Mike's Subs donates 750 kid meals to soccer tournament participants

Steve Berry at the meat slicer at Jersey Mike's Subs

Steve Berry's son came home from school one day with a certificate for a free meal that he had won for his participation in a spelling bee. 

His son was thrilled. 

As the family was sitting at the restaurant, Steve and his wife, who own three Jersey Mike's Subs franchises, said to each other, "Why aren't we doing this?"

Since that moment, the Berrys have given away thousands of dollars in food certificates to youth and charitable organizations in the communities where their stores are located - Mukilteo, Redmond, and the Aurora Village location in Shoreline.

"There's no catch to the certificates," said Steve. "You don't have to buy anything else. We just wanted kids to feel as good as our son did when he got his certificate."

When a volunteer for the Shoreline Classic Soccer Tournament contacted Steve about donating some certificates to the tournament, he replied that they had been cutting back some because of the recession, and he would need to check with the co-owner, his wife.

When he went back to the tournament organizers, he had 750 certificates for them, enough for every player and coach in the entire tournament. At $4 apiece, this was a $3,000 donation.

Steve points out that the entire Jersey Mike's franchise is committed to community support.

"Right now we are partnered with Susan G Komen’s Race for the Cure foundation to raise money for breast cancer research. The seven Jersey Mike’s Subs in the Seattle area and the over 500 nationwide are all working to support Susan G. Komen with “Mike’s Way to a Cure,” accepting direct donations, selling T-Shirts and helping to raise awareness."    

Steve works with school districts, PTAs, churches, and other community organizations.

"If there are organizations interested in partnering with us locally with our Kid’s Meal program, they can contact me directly. 

Jersey Mike's Subs is located in Aurora Village, 1289 N 205th St, in the building between Costco and Home Depot. Phone 206-546-9050. Order online JerseyMikes.com/Seattle.