Since February of 2017, Quinn’s Catering has served Henry County by providing food for many of life’s special moments, such as sports banquets, weddings, non-profit charity events and county events.
When catered events began cancelling in light of Brian Kemp’s shelter in place order and the limits placed on large gatherings, Quinn O’Neill, owner of Quinn’s Catering, contemplated how they would continue to operate.
“I had no idea what I was going to do,” said O’Neill. “I knew my business was going to be horribly affected.”
people of Henry County and continues to bring its specially catered food to the community and its first responders.
Photo by Erin Lopez
O’Neill was previously scheduled to cater the Ola High School baseball team banquet in March before the in-person event was cancelled.
“We had already purchased the food and tickets were already bought by parents,” said O’Neill. “The head coach, Beau Edwards, from Ola asked if Sharon Church, my church, could cook the food there and let the families drive through to pick up the meals.”
The drive through service was a success and, after speaking with church officials, O’Neill implemented a drive through catering service that would help pay his staff as well as benefit the community.
The decision to provide the alternate catering service, O’Neill stated, was “not about profitability but survival,” and has been instrumental in keeping both his chef and manager employed.
“We were blessed by God that we were given an idea to try to stay open,” said O’Neill.
In his third week of operation, O’Neill decided to expand his services to provide meals for first responders.
“As it’s grown, I just wanted to be able to do my part and help first responders,” said O’Neill.
Within 48 hours of placing a plea on Facebook asking for small donations, Quinn’s Catering raised $700 to provide 25 meals a day for that week to first responders at Piedmont Henry Hospital.
The Republican Women of Henry County heard about O’Neill’s cause and were one of the first organizations to donate to Quinn’s Catering in order to serve first responders.
“The medical workers at the hospital work overtime and long hours exposing themselves to this virus and they don’t have time to go out and catch a bite to eat,” said Elanor Toppins, treasurer of the Republican Women of Henry County. “I thought this was a wonderful idea for Quinn’s Catering to provide meals to them. Our executive board was unanimous on giving a donation to them to help with the community and keep himself afloat as well.”
In the coming weeks, O’Neill hopes to be able to raise $1000 a week to provide 50 meals a day to first responders.
“Our goal is to continue to keep feeding hospital staff and first responders for as long as we can,” said O’Neill.
Donna Braddy, Director of Community Relations and Volunteer Services at Piedmont Henry Hospital, is grateful for the support shown to their first responders.
“The outpouring of support for our hospital has been incredible,” said Braddy. “It means the world to us to have our staff and physicians recognized for the work they are doing. We have been touched to see our community care for the people who care for them in their time of need.”
Throughout it all, O’Neill is grateful for Henry County, its residents, generous donors and the kindness shown by all during this time.
“This just shows you how strong our community is,” said O’Neill. “The people that are willing to give are all over Henry County. Knowing that they are willing to put money into mine and other organizations that are helping this cause makes me feel as though what I am doing is worthwhile.”
As for making all of this possible, O’Neill would like to thank Donna Lynn, the Sharon Church administrator who “without her, there is no way we would have been able to do this,” said O’Neill.
Meals can be purchased weekly and picked up from Quinn’s Catering, located at 2153 Highway 155 N. in McDonough between the hours of 5-6:30 p.m. on Monday – Friday and Sunday, except on Easter. Meal prices vary depending on the number of meals ordered and menu items offered. Please place your meal orders by Sunday evening to help with their planning and shopping for supplies for the following week.
To place an order for next week’s meals, visit https://form.jotform.com/200993711193961.
For more information, to purchase meals or to make a donation, contact Quinn O’Neill by phone at 404-932-8022 or visit Quinn’s Catering on Facebook.
