The owner of a Watertown restaurant got a special call from the Governor for donating meals to people in need when the SNAP benefits lapsed during the Federal Government shutdown.
Gov. Maura Healey reached out to Max Ritcey, owner of Ritcey East, to thank him personally.
“What your family did making all of those meals available to hundreds of people was just an amazing, amazing beautiful gift,” Healey said. “I just want to thank you.”
Ritcey said, “Ya, of course. That’s just … how I see the world, you know. You just do it, so I’m happy to.”
Ritcey East provided more than 250 meals to families in and around Watertown, and also collected donations for local food pantries.
“Max was able to deliver a truckload of food every week,” according to the post on Gov. Healey’s Facebook page.
Healey said she looked forward to visiting the restaurant at 208 Waverley Ave.
Ritcey East is involved in the community in many ways. The restaurant is teaming with the Charles River Regional Chamber on Dec. 11 for an LGBTQIA+ Holiday Happy Hour.
The event runs from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to members and nonmembers. RSVP here.