LIVERPOOL — As the holiday season approaches, perhaps you have already started searching for the perfect presents for the people in your life. Many shoppers stick close to home to bolster their community’s local businesses. The Eat Local New York discount card could feed two birds with one scone, as it were: The card provides discount at 150 eateries across New York State, and 20% of the sales will benefit Ophelia’s Place.
“This is our fourth year of doing it,” said Anthony Tringale, founder of Eat Local NY. “We started the business to help local restaurants get more support, get more traffic and be able to tell the community about local restaurants.”
The card offers diners a $5 discount on purchases of at least $25 at participating establishments.
“It’s a reusable $5 coupon, essentially,” said Tringale.
In addition to boosting local businesses, the card helps support local nonprofits. Past beneficiaries are In My Father’s Kitchen, Helping Hounds and United Way.
Earlier this year, Tringale happened to cross paths with MaryEllen Clausen, founder and chief financial officer of Ophelia’s Place. Clausen’s Liverpool-based nonprofit hosts support groups and connects people with treatment for eating disorders.
“I was out and about one day and I just ran into MaryEllen,” Tringale said. “It was the best coincidence.”
Revenue from Clausen’s other venture, Café at 407, provides 35% of the annual budget for Ophelia’s Place. The café also is one of the establishments that accepts the Eat Local NY card.
“I think it’s great and I love what Anthony is doing,” Clausen said. “I love that he has been encouraging interconnectedness. We’ve not had the opportunity to do a fundraiser. I love the fact that it encourages people to get out and support the great restaurants in Central New York.”
Café at 407 was forced to close twice during the pandemic — for three months in the spring of 2020 and for another six weeks last winter.
“Even though we were in a yellow zone, business dropped significantly,” Clausen said. “That was tough.”
As revenue for Ophelia’s Place dipped, the need for services skyrocketed. Holly Lowery-Davis, chief operating officer for Ophelia’s Place, told Eagle Newspapers in August 2020 that the pandemic has been difficult for many people who struggle with eating disorders as they have been cut off from their usual support network.
“There’s no in-person groups. However, we do have virtual groups, so I guess the good thing is it’s made it more accessible to people,” Clausen said. “COVID forced everybody to reimagine and figure out how they can best respond to the people that we serve to meet the need.”
Tringale said the goal is to raise $10,000 for Ophelia’s Place.
“It’s really important for me to see local organizations … to have legs that last,” he said. “It’s easy for someone to come up with an idea for a nonprofit and then it’s done after a year. It’s really difficult for local charities to last like Ophelia’s Place has.”
Tringale acknowledged that the topic of eating disorders is a difficult one.
“Those are things that aren’t, for a lack of a better word, attractive to talk about. … I think it can be a little embarrassing for people struggling with an eating disorder to be vocal about it,” he said. “It’s something that deserves more of my resources.”
The intersection of community and commerce Tringale is trying to promote resonates with Clausen and her customers at 407 as well.
“They’re part of the validation of the struggle and they’re part of the healing part. It’s part of the community. The people that come here for services feel embraced by that,” she said. “We talk about it being a café with a cause, and even our holiday gift baskets we have … are a collaboration of small businesses.”
The 2022 Eat Local NY card is valid from date of purchase until Dec. 31, 2022. Purchase one for $25 by visiting eatlocalnewyork.com.
Café at 407 and Ophelia’s Place are located at 407 Tulip St. in the village of Liverpool. To learn more, visit cafeat407.org or opheliasplace.org.
