STIR Restaurant Joins with Oak City Cares to Help Those in Need
Raleigh’s STIR restaurant recently donated nearly $7,500 to charity partner Oak City Cares.
“We are extremely grateful for the long-term partnership we have with STIR and for their dedication and philanthropic perseverance through challenging times for the hospitality industry. Because of STIR, the SquareUp Foundation and other compassionate groups and individuals, Oak City Cares positively impacts the lives of those in our community facing homelessness. The need for our services is escalating and their support truly makes a difference,” said Kathy Johnson, Oak City Cares executive director.
The donation captured a portion of food sales and patron donations made during the month of November. Chris Brett, director of operations for STIR, facilitates the Charity Partners program in Raleigh. “Attention to customer experience and service dictates everything we do at STIR,” said Brett. “Expanding that concept to include community service and team support is one more reason why I love what we do.”
Allen Corey, founder and chief executive officer of SquareOne Holding Company, parent company of the STIR brand restaurants, explained that launching the SquareUp Foundation last year put an exclamation mark on the company’s commitment to the communities and stakeholders where SquareOne has operations. “The restaurants, holding company and foundation have core values that recognize collective success is found in the will and ability to support and invest in others. Our vulnerable families and neighbors experiencing hunger and homelessness need our support.”
Ryan Hendrickson, chief operations officer at SquareOne, added that the spirit of care and hospitality is exemplified in every initiative of Oak City Cares. “We are humbled by their work and will continue to be a frontline advocate for their activities.”
SquareOne Holding Company, based in Chattanooga, owns and operates restaurants and breweries throughout the Southeast. Among these, STIR is currently located in Chattanooga; Charlotte, North Carolina and Raleigh, North Carolina. Additional restaurants are State of Confusion in Chattanooga; Balter Beerworks in Knoxville, Tennessee; Strawberry Alley Ale Works in Clarksville, Tennessee; Blue Fish Restaurant & Oyster Bar in Jacksonville, Florida and Carolina Brewery in Chapel Hill and Pittsboro, NC. SquareOne also operates Top of the Rock Restaurant and Brewery in Jasper, Tennessee.
Founded by SquareOne Holding Company in 2020, the SquareUp Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. SquareUp manages partnerships between SquareOne restaurants and local charities, raising funds that aid the hungry, homeless, sick and disadvantaged. Additionally, through the HOPE Fund (Helping Our People in Emergencies) SquareUp provides grants to employees facing sudden financial hardship.
Oak City Cares is a services hub for connecting individuals and families at risk of, or currently experiencing, homelessness to coordinated services that create a path to stable housing and renewed hope