Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita creates Giving Wall for helping customers in need

The historic Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita, Oklahoma, created a “Giving Wall” so customers can discreetly pay it forward for those who are less fortunate, especially during economic hardships created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The wall inside the Route 66 restaurant two miles west of town has a message that states: “If you are hungry or know someone who is … these tickets have been paid for in advance by previous customers. Please grab a ticket and eat! #lovelocal #payitforward.”

Owner Beth Hillburn explained more to KTUL-TV in Tulsa:

“It’s been difficult even for people that are employed, and then if you add to that the pandemic and no employment and no income, of course, it’s just getting really tight for all people, not just families but for everyone.” […]
“We have guests that come in and make a donation, and they kind of ask them to select items off the menu, and it could be anything from a dessert to a drink to kids meals all the way up to chicken fried steak if they want. They make a donation, we ring it up, and then we put it up on our giving wall.”

Here’s what the Giving Wall looked like about a week ago:

The Hi-Way Cafe already has received donations from customers in six states and fed 44 people in seven days.

Hilburn also has encouraged locals to pick up meals to take to those who don’t have transportation. And the restaurant also offers curbside service with Giving Wall purchases.

She told the Vinita Daily Journal she got the idea from Zach’s Cafe, down the road in Miami, Oklahoma.

Those who wish to contribute to the Giving Wall can do so online here. Be sure to type “Donation for Hi-Way Cafe Giving Wall” in the notation.

Donations also can be taken over the phone at (918) 256-5465.

I’ve been unable to verify when the Hi-Way Cafe was built, but I found local newspaper articles from 1969 referring to it. So it is more than a half-century old.

(Image of the Hi-Way Cafe sign near Vinita, Oklahoma, by Stu Rapley via Flickr)

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