Local Stamford Restaurant To Give Back To The Community This Thanksgiving

STAMFORD, CT — Jerkyz, a Caribbean fusion-style eatery and Rum Bar located at 227 Summer St. in Stamford, will be providing local residents with free pre-packaged meals, no questions asked, on Thanksgiving.

Last year, restaurant owner Joab Taylor and his team gave out approximately 300 meals. This year, they plan to grow that number to 750 with new partnerships and heightened awareness.

"We started this community giveback in 2020 in response to the pandemic. The idea was to support people in need or alone, if they didn’t have the means or time for cooking on Thanksgiving, we wanted to help," said Taylor recently in a news release.

"It was a heartwarming experience so we did it again last year with the help of Isis-Rae Goulbourne of City Events Group (@Stamford_Events). The extra exposure from her media platform made it a lot easier for us to reach the community. This year we want to expand that reach by making deliveries to local non-profit organizations," Taylor added.

A three-course meal with a choice of chicken, fish and vegetarian options along with sides and desserts will be available starting at 1 p.m. and last until all of the freshly cooked meals are picked up on Nov. 24.

In addition, Pacific House and New Covenant Center in Stamford will receive deliveries with meals for their clients through a new partnership with Food Rescue US.

"This is one of my favorite types of events," said Goulbourne in a news release. "Stamford is such a vibrant city and we have so much to offer, I truly enjoy sharing with the community and making an important impact with partnerships like this."

Volunteer opportunities are available. Anyone interested should email the City Events team at hello@stamfordevents.co.

In addition to the Thanksgiving give back campaign, Jerkyz regularly hosts art and music-related events for the community.

Every Wednesday is an Open Mic Night from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. This is a special night that allows for all artistic expression, singing, comedy, storytelling, poetry and improv, and all are welcome to the stage.

On Thursdays the restaurant hosts "Karaoke & Game Night" from 7 p.m. to midnight. On Friday and Saturday there is a live DJ from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m., and “Sunday Reset” is a night with a live band or live DJ from 8 p.m. until 12 a.m.

Jerkyz will be closed to customers on Thanksgiving and only open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., or until meals run out.

Regular street parking is available at no cost due to the holiday. Jerkyz relocated to Stamford in 2020 after a successful seven-year run in the New York City. The business now has plans to open a second location and has franchise opportunities available.

For more information, visit their website.