MACON, Ga. — Bear Burgers at Mercer Village started a new tradition today.
They call it Macon Love Day.
For four hours, the restaurant staff gave out free lunch bags to anyone who asked for one.
“It feels really good to be able to do something like that,” Keene said. “For me, it's just more about taking care of the city I grew up in.”
Owner Jonathan Keene said they gave out over 200 bags in the first 30 minutes.
“I would say the first probably 50 to 60 people who walked in the door, my initial thought was, ‘This might be the only thing they eat today,’” he said.
He said he and his wife used to be homeless, so it felt good to help others.
"We lived that life and I have never forgotten the places we went and the people that helped,” Keene said. “So I've always -- me and her both -- have always said that whenever we finally got on our feet and we had a business that we were going to make that one of the number one priorities of the business."
The event went from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Macon resident Shawn Nelson found out about the event on the NewsBreak app.
“We heard that they were giving to the community,” Nelson said. “I believe that’s a pretty good gesture. There’s a lot of people in Macon alone that can’t afford anything to eat, and this is the place they need to come for this one day.”
He said it felt good to get a lunch for free.
“They are giving back, instead of taking in,” Nelson said.
Keene said they plan to do a Macon Love Day event every winter and summer while Mercer University students are away on break.