Restaurant owner gives back
Phil Barrett doesn’t go looking for causes to support, but as a
restaurateur he helps when he can
– whether it’s providing a meal to a hungry resident who can’t
afford it, or providing food for the homeless shelter.
Restaurant owner gives back
Phil Barrett doesn’t go looking for causes to support, but as a restaurateur he helps when he can – whether it’s providing a meal to a hungry resident who can’t afford it, or providing food for the homeless shelter.
When Barrett read that San Benito County was opening a seasonal homeless shelter he didn’t hesitate to offer some help. He called and asked what they needed. For the last few months, after Barrett puts in his hours at his restaurant, Flapjacks, he has prepared an additional 35 meals every Wednesday for the shelter residents. Barrett doesn’t just recycle the day’s leftovers either. Often he plans an entirely separate menu for the shelter. Some of the meals have included chili and three types of cornbread and roasted chicken with all the fixings.
“I believe that you have to do it with as much anonymity as possible,” Barrett said. “I don’t do it for the recognition. A lot of businesses are in a lot better position financially, but we have to give back.”
Perhaps it was Barrett’s upbringing, being the son of parents who were restaurateurs in Gilroy. They never turned a blind eye to a hungry person, he said. Whether they could pay the bill or not, it wasn’t about the money. It was about making sure they didn’t ignore their neighbors.
Today Barrett operates Flapjacks with his wife Karen, in the same fashion that his parents operated their restaurant. The dining room is small, with just 20 tables, and the kitchen has just enough room for two. They still find ways to give back to the community.
Barrett knows that he cannot do everything – there are some programs that he can’t help with – but as long as there are things he can do to help his community he wants to.
When Barrett does a project such as sponsoring a highway clean up or cooking for the shelter, it’s because he’s a member of the community and he feels a responsibility to take care of that community.
“When someone asks why we do this, it’s because this is what we’re supposed to do,” Barrett said. “We love where we live.”
But Barrett doesn’t stop at donating meals. He often finds work for the homeless or people who have fallen on hard times and can’t find anything else.
“Phil is tough but he’s fair,” said Leigh Dietz, shelter manager for the San Benito County Homeless Shelter. “He’s gone out of his way to take on some of our guys and give them an opportunity to work. He’s not afraid to fire them, but he’ll give them a shot.”
Barrett knows that it doesn’t always work. Recently Barrett had to fire one of the homeless residents he’d helped with a job because the person wasn’t working, but he continues to take the chance and hire others. Instead he looks on the bright side.
“You have to try. I can only see what’s in front of me,” Barrett said. “You have to roll with it and at the end of the day you have to say ‘Tomorrow’s another day.’ My son taught me that.”
Patrick O’Donnell can be reached at
po*******@pi**********.com
