Mike and Pam Ginsberg can frequently be found giving to the community in one way or another. But Tuesday, the owners of LulaBelle’s restaurant in Hannibal were on the receiving end of special recognition from the National Restaurant Association.
As a handful of friends looked on, the Ginsbergs were presented the Restaurant Neighbor Award. On hand to make the presentation was Bob Bonney, chief executive of the Missouri Restaurant Association.
“The Restaurant Neighbor Award is awarded nationally,” he said. “This is the highest and most prestigious honor that the National Restaurant Association gives anyone from our industry to recognize their level of community service.”
The Ginsbergs were specifically cited for opening their Bird Street restaurant on Christmas and providing free meals. Last year, the 18th year of the tradition, over 500 meals were delivered to homes in Hannibal. The volunteer crew served up another 150 meals at the restaurant.
“It’s humbling,” said Mike Ginsberg of the award. “We feed people every day, we’re restaurant operators. It’s not hard for us to do what we do. I’m very humbled that it (Christmas meals) gets the attention that it does. I’m glad we’re able to do it.”
“This honor makes me feel just really happy,” added Pam Ginsberg. “We enjoy doing this. It’s our family tradition.”
Mike brought the concept with him from Denver, where a restaurant was performing a similar service on Dec. 25.
“I found out from Debbie Catlett that the nutrition center is not funded for holidays so that was a perfect fit for us to do that for the community,” he said.
Food donations from the restaurant’s vendors and the public help make the free meal possible. Another key element is the volunteer labor that turns out to help every year.
One of the volunteer laborers is George Danforth, who was on hand Tuesday for the presentation.
“It’s a very interesting and enjoyable day. It’s fun, it really is,” he said, adding that he has been on hand to lend a helping hand almost since the inception of the tradition in Hannibal. “My family is not here so I don’t have anything to do on Christmas. When my wife was alive we both came down. Since she’s been gone I’ve been coming down on my own.”
Danforth was delighted to see the Ginsbergs recognized.
“I was very pleased to hear about it,” he said. “I think it’s a very, very good honor and they deserve it. They’ve done more work in various areas in this community.”
On hand for the event was state Rep. Rachel Bringer, D-Palmyra. She presented the Ginsbergs with a state resolution thanking the couple for their 18 years of service to the community.
“The Christmas dinners are really just one example. You have been such an inspiration to this community and set such great examples for all of us on how to make this truly America’s hometown,” said Bringer.
According to Bonney, the Ginsberg’s generosity could will be planting the seeds of service elsewhere.
“What we do in service of others effects eternity. It’s impossible to know where it will end,” he said.
Mike Ginsberg said the process of gathering volunteers for this year’s event is beginning. Persons interested in helping are invited to contact the Ginsbergs for details.
Hannibal, MO —
