Meridian Coffee Shop Donates 450 Meals, $2,220 to Help Families in Need

Photos courtesy of Deja Brew Laugh a Latte

Story by Lex Nelson

In Meridian, Idaho, the Christmas spirit arrived early — three weeks before Thanksgiving to be exact. That’s when Cecyle Brock, owner of local coffee shop/restaurant Deja Brew Laugh a Latte, took to social media to spread that word that her team would give away free, pre-made meals to anyone who needed food on Thanksgiving. 

“At first our target audience was anyone within five miles of the restaurant here, but we actually delivered clear into downtown Boise. People called from as far away as Greenleaf and said things like, ‘My kids live in Boise and they have the virus. I’m in my 80s and can’t take food to them for the holiday  — can you please deliver it?’ We tried to reply to anyone who needed it,” Brock said. 

Deja Brew and its partners put together a total of 450 meals and raised an additional $2,220 for the Meridian Foodbank. It was truly a community effort, and Brock was blown away by the number of volunteers who answered her call. 

“Without such an amazing response from the community we could never have done this. It was just an outpouring,” Brock said. “I don’t know if it’s because of what a weird year it has been, or just that all of the stars lined up, but the outpouring of neighbors, regular customers, and people I’ve known forever was incredible. People would walk up to me, give me $50 and say, ‘Put this towards Thanksgiving.’ It was so cool.”  

Businesses Brock hadn’t even realized were near Deja Brew reached out after hearing about the effort on social media. One offered to smoke dozens of hams and turkeys. A local church donated a check for $1,000, and an HVAC company contributed $500. Even Deja Brew’s vendors pitched in, donating meat and produce. On Thanksgiving Day, Brock herself joined the assembly line and helped put together plates for cars pulling up outside the restaurant. 

Giving back on this scale has been a dream of Brock’s since she opened Deja Brew three and a half years ago. Before becoming a restaurateur, she spent 25 years in the construction industry and was a member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). That group’s involvement in charity work inspired her to give back, and she plans to make the Thanksgiving fundraiser/giveaway an annual event.

“In my opinion, this is what small business and community is all about: Everybody supports everyone else, and everybody helps,” Brock said.