As the economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic became more apparent last March, Gregar Brous ’81, co-owner of Collegetown Bagels, turned his eatery into a “pay-whatyou-can” community kitchen, offering bread and other food to community members facing financial difficulties.
“It became clear that people were going to be laid off, and that, as a result, there would be a growing number of people in our community who needed help,” he said. “I knew we needed to provide that help.”
Brous also launched two other initiatives, one where people could buy coffee and food to be delivered to first responders such as nurses in hospitals, and the other was a delivery service of pantry items like butter, flour, and eggs.
“My mission has changed,” Brous continued. “Instead of trying to sell things, I’m trying to see what people need. The community connection that IC encourages, it’s affected me, and it’s part of the values I try to live up to every day. We believe in our community. They’re our friends, who we’ve been serving for 40 years, and at their time of greatest need, we’re going to help them.”
