Students give struggling restaurant industry a boost
In his nearly 40 years in the restaurant business, Carl Scheppman has done more than his fair share of assisting with local fundraisers.
Any time a local high school, junior high, elementary school, church or police organization needed help, Scheppman, the longtime owner of Esplendido Mexican Cuisine on Mound Road in Shelby Township stepped up to help.
So when a student council member from Shelby Junior High School called Scheppman in February, he assumed it was a request for his restaurant to assist the local school.
Instead, this time the local school wanted to help him. With local restaurants hit especially hard during the COVID-19 pandemic, the student council came up with the concept of a “reverse fundraiser.”
In the past, Esplendidos had hosted a Shelby Junior High night in which a percentage of the proceeds that night went to aid school programs. When members of the school student council and staff advisors told him they were putting together a plan to help him, Scheppman was genuinely moved. The reverse fundraiser was held at his restaurant March 24.
“This is the first time anyone ever did something like that for me. I was blown away by it,” Scheppman said. “They deserve an attaboy to put this together, especially at this age group. It’s a very cool idea. I have to admit, it made me a little warm and fuzzy inside.”
“In most years, we do community events, canned food drives, things like that. But starting the school year virtual turned everyone’s world upside down. We couldn’t make that work. The kids ran with this idea. They saw a need to help with our restaurants. They are always so great with our schools, and we wanted to find a way to give back,” Shelby Junior High math teacher and student council advisor Michelle Kupke said.
Esplendido is just one of the many restaurants the student council has helped or plans to help this year. Fadis Lebanese Grill on Van Dyke in Shelby Township and Just Love Coffee Café, also on Van Dyke, are two of the other restaurants that have participated in the reverse fundraiser. Next Monday, April 19, will feature The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill on 23 Mile Road in Shelby township. And on April 28, the Detroit Taco Company on Corporate Drive in Shelby Township will be highlighted. The students are targeting local, familyowned small-businesses.
Kupke said the restaurant chooses the date in which the reverse fundraiser takes place. That date is then relayed to Shelby Junior High administration, who sends out the information in a newsletter to students and their families. The school also uses its social media platforms to advertise the date and hours of operation and encourages the school community to either dine in or order a carryout meal from that restaurant on that day. Typically the restaurant comes up with a Shelby Junior High special for that day to show their appreciation to the students.
Mekhi Kattula, a 15-year-old ninth grader and the Shelby Junior High student council president, said students on the council jumped at the idea to help the struggling restaurant industry.
“We thought it was a good idea because these businesses are struggling. And this is a good way to help them,” he said. “I feel good about it. I always feel good about helping others. It makes me happy because I like to see others happy, too.”
Scheppman said Esplendido enjoyed about a 25% increase in business on its reverse fundraiser day. He said some have patronized his restaurant before. Some ordered in while others took home carryout. Others were new customers and offered Esplendido a chance to develop some new business.
“I think it’s a really stand up thing that they did,” Scheppman said. “It’s a great way for these students to develop their communication skills and other skills they’ll need in life. You do good things for them, and they’ll do good things for you. That’s what makes a great community.”
Kattula said the school plans to feature a different restaurant once a week for the rest of the year. Restaurants that are interested in participating are also encouraged to contact Kupke at michelle.kupke@ uticak12.org.