BY JIM LOCKWOOD
Dunkin’ owners in Northeast Pennsylvania have devised some unique ways to help the community during the coronavirus pandemic.
They’ve made masks for senior centers, and will be providing breakfast for hospital workers and giving away Girl Scout cookies to customers.
One of the franchisees, Holly Roever Carron of HW Roever Inc., bought nearly 1,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to give away to customers at three of her Dunkins in Scranton.
“We were trying to think of a way to help the community,” Carron said.
Her father, Henry Roever, suggested reaching out to the Girl Scouts, because Dunkin’ has long had a relationship with the scouting organization. Carron contacted the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania organization, which connected her with Troop 50771 of South Scranton. Carron cleaned the troop out of all of its remaining inventory of Girl Scout cookies — 969 boxes — to show appreciation for the Scouts’ hard work and dedication to their troop.
Now, starting Thursday at 10 a.m., drive-thru customers at three of her Dunkins in Scranton, at 1137 Moosic St., 1101 S. Washington Ave. and 742 Davis St., will each get a free box of Girl Scout cookies.
Also starting Thursday, groups of area Dunkin’ franchisees will begin providing daily breakfasts, including boxed coffee, donuts and bagels with cream cheese, to nine Geisinger triage tents throughout Northeast and Central Pennsylvania, to help keep those on the healthcare front lines of the COVID-19 crisis running.
Meanwhile, local franchisees Jerry and Sophia Fives transformed the dining room of their Dickson City Dunkin’ location into a face mask sewing operation. The masks are donated to a local senior center. After recognizing one of his crew members crafting masks, Fives offered to supply fabric and a space for her to make masks regularly. In partnership with Frank’s Place Restaurant in Simpson, Pa., the Fives’ network donated 900 donuts last week to help feed those in need. They plan to donate an additional 900 donuts in coming weeks. Most recently, he also provided nearly $1,000 in Dunkin’ gift cards to ShopRite grocery store employees in Daleville.
“From the start of the pandemic, Dunkin’ franchisees — all of whom are independent businesspeople in their communities — have supported the heroes on the frontlines of the coronavirus (COVID-19) response, serving those who serve and those in need during these unprecedented times,” the franchisees said in a statement.
Dunkin’ has also launched an online gift card site, DunkinCoffeeBreak.com, for purchasing and sending Dunkin’ eGift Cards. For every card purchased at this site, Dunkin’ will donate $1, up to $100,000, to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation emergency funds, specifically for nonprofits helping families affected by COVID-19.
Most Dunkin’ shops in the nation are open, with service limited to drive-thru, carry-out or delivery, though some locations may also offer curbside service.
Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5185
