$1,000 worth of pizza for furloughed workers free meal at Crafty Fox was ‘reason to get out of bed’
DENVER (Jan. 22, 2019)
Generating heartfelt expressions of gratitude, Crafty Fox Taphouse & Pizzeria handed out more than $1,000 worth of pizza and drinks recently to federal workers who have temporarily lost their jobs as part of the U.S. government shutdown.
For nearly a week, Crafty Fox made the free meals available to the thousands of federal workers in Colorado whose paychecks have dried up. More than 100 workers took advantage of the offer. One of them was an anonymous “government employee” who sent a note to the restaurant, saying he or she had been in a “depression hole.”
“This free meal is more than a free meal to me, so thank you doesn’t quite say it all,” the employee wrote. “Falling into a depression hole, this free meal gave me a reason to get out of bed, get out of the house and share a laugh or smile, which is the best medicine. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you! More than you know.”
Crafty Fox Owner Angelique Moyer said the note and similar others validated the restaurant’s decision to dedicate a modest amount of its charitable resources toward the federal workers. Crafty Fox previously had an event before Christmas to feed Denver’s homeless population; and now the restaurant is planning a benefit in conjunction with its three-year anniversary celebration (details to be announced).
Federal worker Michael Beattie posted on social media a photo of himself and friends at the restaurant with the message, “There IS such a thing as free lunch …”
And in an email from furloughed worker Duane O. Matt: “I just wanted to personally thank you for your generosity yesterday! Being a furloughed federal worker is tough enough, and, your business offering a free meal during this time was really appreciated. It uplifted both my colleague and me to just go, hang out, and forget about not working for a bit.”
Angelique Moyer is related to the Salazar Family Foundation of Denver, which has a rich history of charitable works throughout the metro area.
“When we see our friends, neighbors and customers suffering the way they have been during this partial government shutdown, it inspires us to find ways to help,” Moyer said. “We wish the shutdown could come to an amicable conclusion. In the meantime, we will monitor the situation and examine ways that we might help in the future if necessary.”