An empty McDonald’s training center proved to be an invaluable resource when COVID-19 forced the closure of non-essential businesses in March.
When restaurants had to resort to drive-through only practices it was a challenge for employees and business owners alike.
Jim Wagy decided to use his empty training center in Gladstone to provide a food pantry for all his employees. Wagy owns eight McDonald’s restaurants in the Kansas City area, two of them in Platte County, including the Platte City McDonald’s.
“I have always given to many different food pantries around the Kansas City metro area, but with the COVID-19 crisis I quickly realized that I had a big community that I could help support working for me,” Wagy said. “Many of our employees lost their second and third jobs due to the virus. I wanted to support them and their families as much as I could in a practical way.”
Wagy is thankful for the business the restaurants still have but since it’s drive-through only the workers’ hours have had to be limited since not as many are needed. “We built lobbies and play places to be used, so this part of our business is being affected,” Wage said.
He has close to 500 employes and in just a few days of the McPantry being open there have been about 70 employees utilizing it. The workers are given boxes of food and household items.
“I think we all have been affected by COVID-19, it’s a game changer and will leave a mark on all of us,” Wagy said. “It’s hard to put a number on it. No one has tested positive for COVID-19 but we’ve had a lot of people miss work due to them choosing to self-quarantine themselves and miss work completely.”
Non-perishable items offered at the food pantry include oatmeal, crackers, corn bread mix, apple sauce, rice, peanut butter, condiments, cereals, pancake mix, soup, fruits and vegetables, mac and cheese, all sorts of potato dishes, beans, canned tuna, sausages and much more.
Household items offered are paper towels, dish soap, deodorant, soap, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream, shampoo, conditioner, lotions, laundry detergent and a limited supply of toilet paper.
When business are allowed to reopen Wagy has already planned steps that will be taken to keep customers safe. There will be social distancing markers in the lobby, plexiglass shields at the registers and at drive-through windows, face masks and gloves will be used, there will be handwashing every hour and as needed, no lobby trays, all orders will be bagged and service without contact will be utilized whenever possible.
“We will also follow other guidelines by the Center for Disease Control and McDonald’s as well as any best practices in the industry,” Wagy said.
His employees are appreciated and valued and the first thing on Wagy’s mind when the virus began spreading was making sure they knew he was going to help them.
“I know that I even needed help, and am getting help to get through this crisis and I know others need help too,” Wagy said. “Everyone needs help to get through this actually. We’re all in this crisis together. I want all my people to know that.”
When the employees see a room that they used to go to for meetings and orientations that now resembles a small general store, Wagy said they are pleasantly shocked and surprised.
“They are happy and appreciative and that makes me happy,” Wagy said. “We’ve had much happiness and even joyful tears of gratitude.”
He believes the world is full of great business leaders with creative ideas and that many of them are coming up with different ways to help people. He likes the fact that the food pantry allows people dignity in letting them choose the items they need and don’t need.
“I think anytime you help people and help supply a necessary need either physically, spiritually or emotionally you have done a good thing,” Wagy said. “I think this wide variety that we have for people at the pantry has helped them out. I really want to help my employees and their families because we can’t do much without them.”
Wagy is asked by many people if community members can donate to the pantry and he believes the easiest way for them to do that would be to purchase gift cards from ALDI, Walmart, etc. and mail them to Jim’s Management Company, Inc, 5950 N. Oak, Suite 204, Gladstone, MO, 64118, Attention Jim Wagy. Donations and gift cards can also be dropped off at McDonald’s located at I-29 and Barry Road or at the Platte City location with a note saying Attention Jim Wagy.
McPantry hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 5950 N. Oak, Suite 204, Gladstone.
“We have also helped several employees who have come on the wrong day or by appointment for whatever reason,” Wagy said. “We are always happy to help them. If anyone knows of any grocery or pantry supplier that would want to help with donations, we are open to recceiving those too,” Wagy said. “I plan to keep this going for a long time if I can because it seems to be a big hit and morale booster.”