Dash and Joey's helps the food bank

Smoothie shop Dash and Joey's is raising money for a good cause, a first that owner Chad Endsley hopes will be a continuing partnership.

"I've dealt with the food bank in the past and love to work with them to create better experiences with families here in northwest Ohio," Endsley said via email.

In deciding to help his community, Endsley chose a familiar partner and a familiar cause.

"I've worked with West Ohio Food Bank in the past and they are great," Endsley said. "I really wanted to make sure kids and their families were taken care of with meals."

Endsley was particularly worried this year because of the pandemic.

"We know, especially during these strange times, that families are struggling to get by," Endsley said. "I just wanted to help out as much a I could."

So he set up a donation barrel and is asking for canned goods, box dinner and hygiene products.

Donations are being accepted through the 31st at both the Wapakoneta and Lima locations, which Endsley hopes will offer

enough time for the organization to disperse food to families. Customers who donate will receive 12 percent off a drink.

According to Endsley, one barrel is already overflowing at the Lima location, and has asked the food bank to pick up everything before Christmas.

Tommie Harner, CEO of West Ohio Food Bank, is happy for the help.

"That's wonderful," Harner said. "I mean, the community partnership that we can get right now is really vital to our mission, and it's just a great way to work together to ensure that people that are hungry within our communities are getting food that they need, especially during the holiday time."