How McDonald's Helped Kentucky After A Tornado's Devastation
On December 18, the National Weather Service confirmed the deadly storm system that swept the central and southern United States on December 10 and 11 included 61 tornadoes, cutting a line through Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky, and wreaking havoc on those living in the areas. Luckily, amid the chaos, several people have donated their time and resources to help restore the storm-ravaged areas, including a McDonald's franchisee in Mayfield, Kentucky, who served his community free food from McDonald's McRig.
"As soon as we saw the extent of the devastation to our community, and those around us, we began working to bring the McRig to Mayfield to help take care of the people that mean so much to us," Michael Love Jr., the owner in question, told the Murray Ledger. The meals included cheeseburgers, French fries, apple slices, orange juice, and bottled water.
And McDonald's wasn't alone in their quest to heal their community. Good News Network relayed the story of how one man loaded his truck with food, water, and a grill to serve Mayfield hot meals, prompting other pit-masters to descended on the scene with their own handouts.
A McDonald's meal statement
This isn't the first time that a McRig appeared to give free meals to those on the front lines of a disaster. In December 2017, for example, the fire department of Pasadena, California tweeted a picture of McDonald's providing sustenance to those fighting the wildfires from the tractor/trailer fitted with a McDonald's kitchen. Similarly, WGNO revealed in September that a McDonald's McRig made its way to New Orleans to provide food to those who suffered the worst of Hurricane Ida.
The feel-good story takes a slightly uncomfortable turn when you read what Chris Bardell, the local McDonald's operator in New Orleans, told the news station: "As soon as we saw the extent of the devastation to our community and our own restaurants, we started working to bring the McRig to New Orleans to help take care of the city that means so much to us." It's worded the exact same way as Michael Love Jr.'s, aside from the named city. And so what was once looked upon as wholesome took on a slightly corporate tone.
Why McDonald's couldn't let local operators give candid explanations for what they're doing is only known to their PR team. However, considering that they are bringing food to people who have at best lost power, the importance of such a strange tactic pales.