Flint, Michigan – A simple lunch purchase in downtown Flint can now do more than satisfy an appetite. It can also help provide important services to individuals and families affected by domestic violence, thanks to a new partnership between a local restaurant and a community organization.
The effort comes with an unusual twist. Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley now has a sandwich bearing his name, but the focus is not on the mayor himself. Instead, the new menu item is designed to raise money for a program that supports domestic violence survivors.
Hoffman’s Deco Deli & Cafe officially introduced the Mayor Neeley Signature Sandwich on Tuesday during an event attended by Neeley, restaurant owner Heath Hoffman and Deandra Larkin, CEO of the YWCA of Greater Flint.
Proceeds from sales of the sandwich will benefit the YWCA of Greater Flint’s domestic violence program, which provides services and assistance to individuals and families dealing with domestic violence.
Read also: Flint transforms ordinary school day into circus adventure for approximately 400 children
The sandwich features turkey, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion and honey Dijon, served on multigrain bread. Customers who order it will contribute to the fundraising effort while supporting a longtime Flint business.
For Neeley, the recognition carries a greater purpose than having his name added to a restaurant menu.
“I’m honored to have a sandwich named after me, but what makes this special is knowing that every sandwich purchased can help support the YWCA and its work with survivors of domestic violence,” said Mayor Sheldon Neeley.
“This is what Flint is all about — coming together, supporting one another and finding creative ways to make a difference in our community. I hope residents will stop by, enjoy the sandwich and, most importantly, help support the important work of the YWCA.”
The partnership also highlights the role that local businesses can play in supporting organizations that serve vulnerable residents.
Hoffman’s Deco Deli & Cafe has operated in the Flint community for more than 16 years. The restaurant recently relocated to downtown Flint, where it continues serving customers while participating in charitable activities.
The sandwich initiative is not the deli’s only current fundraising effort. The business is also collecting donations for the Boys & Girls Club, another organization serving the local community. Neeley plans to make a personal contribution toward that campaign as well.
Through the Mayor Neeley Signature Sandwich, the restaurant and city leadership hope to encourage residents to support the YWCA’s work through an everyday purchase.
The message behind the initiative is straightforward: a meal at a neighborhood deli can become a small but meaningful contribution to helping families and survivors facing difficult circumstances.