>> ‘We call it air hunger,’ Dayton nurse says of treating coronavirus patients in New York
“We want to provide free smoothies to the local hospital staff workers,” the couple said on the business’ Facebook page. “Offering them a nutritious delicious smoothie to help keep them going. I am sure many of them do not have time to stop and enjoy a sit down lunch or dinner. A smoothie offers a quick easy way to recharge.”
From the first round of fundraising, the couple was able to donate over 200 smoothies to the day and night shift at Sycamore Medical Center, Kettering Health Network’s emergency center in Franklin, a portion of the Berry Women’s Center at Miami Valley Hospital and the Kettering Behavioral Medicine Center.
>> Dayton arts community ‘facing a crisis’
Along with fresh fruit, these smoothies were also made to include immune-boosting supplements like Emergen-C, electrolytes and B vitamins.
“It's hard to sit down and eat food, or just have the time when you're busy in that kind of career field,” said Bryon Ingram. “So that's one of the reasons they come to us for smoothies because it's just quick and easy. So I thought that we could really make some cool drinks that have protein in them for a meal supplement. We made some that have emergency packs, with electrolytes and B vitamins. They just grab it and go.”
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Fruit For All Reasons at the Dayton Mall. For two decades, Ingram and his family have been an active part of the community, making friends with many of the health care workers who have become frequent customers at both locations. And eventually, it was this fact that gave Ingram the idea to donate his creations to health care workers on the front lines.
>> Hundreds in line for hours to take food to families
In addition to owning Fruit For All Reasons, Ingram is also a member of the Air National Guard. He was hoping that he would be put on state active orders to help out at local food banks, though those orders to lend a helping hand were given mostly to the Army branches, according to Ingram. With his new free time, he set to work crafting a fundraising campaign to provide a bit of sweet relief to local health care workers — especially those working the night shift who might have been left out of earlier donations.
Currently, Fruit For All Reasons is in its second phase of fundraising, looking to raise another $1,000 to be able to create more smoothies for health care workers. So far, the Ingrams have raised $265 for this campaign, and need the community’s help to come up with the rest. For every $5 donation made, Fruit For All Reasons will provide one 24-ounce smoothie to a health care worker.
This time around, Fruit For All Reasons is looking to donate smoothies to Southview Medical Center, Soin Medical Center and the main wing of Miami Valley Hospital.
To donate to the campaign, pay a visit to the fundraiser's Facebook page.
In the meantime, Fruit For All Reasons will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., from Thursday to Saturday, offering carryout and delivery via Grubhub and DoorDash at the Dayton Mall location.
About the Author