The Supper Club: Radisson resident partners with Potters Pub to feed essential workers

By Ashley M. Casey

Associate Editor

You’ve heard of “The Breakfast Club.” Now, get ready for “The Supper Club.”

Inspired by the restaurateurs of Atlanta, Georgia — where her son Sean lives — Radisson resident Kathy Harrigan has partnered with Potters Pub to provide free meals to essential workers and families in need.

Harrigan said her son told her about eateries in his area who were donating meals to those on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis. Since his mother is out of work because of the pandemic, Sean suggested she use the time to give back to the community.

“Everybody’s feeling the pinch now. I’m fortunate — I don’t feel the pinch. I just want to get out and help the community,” Harrigan said.

Mike Tanzella is the head of food and beverage for Potters Pub, which is located within the Radisson Greens Golf Course. He said Harrigan has been a faithful customer of the restaurant, which has been relying on takeout customers during the coronavirus shutdown. Harrigan convinced Tanzella to sign onto the Supper Club project and got to work collecting donations to fund the venture.

“We’re starting our fifth year here in this location and she’s been a great customer of ours. People in the community know her, and she’s been doing a great job,” Tanzella said.

“I’ve collected over $2,600 and it costs about $400 to $480 a week,” Harrigan said.

The Supper Club kicked off three weeks ago. During the first week, 18 families picked up meals, which include a large pizza, chef’s salad, garlic knots and soda. The following week, 15 families took up the offer. The meals are free to essential workers, needy families and even “moms who have had enough” and need a break, Harrigan said — no questions asked.

In addition to the Supper Club’s Tuesday evening pickups, Harrigan has arranged for meals to be delivered to the staff at Syracuse Home at McHarrie Place and the cardiac intensive care unit at Crouse Health.

“They’re so thankful. … It’s been been overwhelmingly positive,” she said of the response.

Some of the essential workers who have signed up for meals have paid it forward by donating to the cause.

Tanzella said Harrigan coordinates the orders and pickup times for each meal by email. Potters Pub sets up a table outdoors to accommodate social distancing practices for pickup.

“She has people come in every 15 minutes or so, which helps us to have things hot and ready,” he said. “She seems to have it pretty well situated and we appreciate it.”

Sean Harrigan, who works in advertising, designed a poster for the Supper Club. The slogan on it reads, “It takes a village … to make a difference.”