Rock Hill Restaurant Cooks Up Support for Linemen Amid Hurricane Aftermath
It’s been quite the time in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where a local restaurant is stepping up in a big way to help those involved in the hurricane recovery efforts. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, which left a trail of destruction across the Southeast, over a million residents in the Carolinas found themselves without power. But amidst the chaos, one eatery is proving that it’s all about community.
Kounter Makes a Call to Serve
The restaurant known as Kounter, a significant site in civil rights history, has temporarily closed its doors to regular customers. Instead, they have transformed their restaurant into a bustling hub for feeding linemen from Duke Energy who are working tirelessly to restore power. The team, guided by the talented Chef Rob Masone, is preparing to serve between 600 and 800 meals daily at Duke Energy’s training facility located in Kings Mountain.
Masone shared his thoughts on this initiative, saying, “We got a phone call and prayed about it, and it just felt like we needed to put our talents to use.” His sentiment resonates loudly, as many in the community rally together to support the heroes restoring power. “We’re going to do some of the things that we do well for some of the folks that are dealing with a lot of things that none of us want to imagine dealing with on a daily basis right now,” he explained. He was quick to highlight that this effort required the hard work of his entire team, stating, “I couldn’t do this without my entire team. This is a lot. It’s a big ask.”
Collaborating for Comfort
A big part of this operation comes thanks to a partnership with US Foods, who has stepped in to cover refrigeration costs and help out with the logistics of food supply. Masone expressed how grateful he is for US Foods, saying, “We have a good relationship with US Foods here in Rock Hill. They reached out and said, ‘How can we help out? How can we get involved?’” Now that’s the kind of teamwork that makes a difference!
Meals That Hit the Spot
The meals prepared by the dedicated Kounter team are hearty and comforting, featuring options like pork, chicken, and beef dishes. Each day starts with hot breakfasts for the linemen, who head into the field with cold lunches packed and ready to go. After a long day of hard work, they return to a warm dinner waiting for them. Masone captures the essence of this effort perfectly: “We’re trying to create a little sense of normalcy for them when they get back up.”
He added, “I can’t speak for all the great things and the hard things that they’re doing out there, but it’s not just physically taxing for them. They’re finding a lot of things out there that none of us want to think about.”
A Community Working Together
The effort has truly been an all-hands-on-deck situation for the Kounter staff. “We’re producing all day, all night. We’re shipping, moving things back and forth from Rock Hill to Kings Mountain every few hours,” Masone described about the 24-hour operation. “My team has showed up, and we’re working on very little sleep.” It’s a busy time, but the determination of this team shines through as they push forward, driven by one central goal: to make sure these guys get fed.
Finding Ways to Volunteer
For the time being, Kounter remains closed to its regular diners, but the heart of this restaurant is firmly rooted in supporting neighbors in need. If you’re inspired to join the cause and help out Kounter, you can reach them at hello@kre8events.com for more information about volunteering.
Located at 135 E Main Street, Suite 101, Rock Hill, SC 29730, Kounter is showcasing that even in tough times, the spirit of community thrives! This truly exemplifies the motto of coming together in the face of adversity.
