(Cary, NC)- Barry Doyle, owner of Barry's Cafe, is proud to have been recognized recently by People Magazine for his charitable efforts supporting both local and national fire and rescue stations. Doyle founded the non-profit organization "Feed the Firefighters Foundation" just over 10 years ago, and has been providing emergency food services at no charge to fire and rescue personnel for over 14 years. In the January 26 issue of People Magazine, Doyle was chosen as People Magazine's "Hero Among Us."

"It's an honor to be recognized by People Magazine for our efforts," said Barry Doyle, owner of Barry's Café and founder of Feed the Firefighters Foundation. "The emergency personnel do so much for their respective communities in their times of need, it's only fitting that local restaurants, like Barry's Café, support the real heroes in these situations-the firefighters and rescue workers."

In January of 1994 in the midst of one of Raleigh's most memorable ice storms, Barry was called and asked to bring coffee and food to first responders of a major vehicle pile-up. Because of the need, Barry made over four trips from his restaurant to the accident scene that day to provide for those in need. Barry's experience made him realize there was a tremendous need for those heroes who work on accident scenes for hours on end with no opportunity for a break or food to eat. So Barry and his wife Denise created F.T.F and have worked feverishly through the foundation to provide emergency food service to numerous fire stations in North Carolina ever sense.

The Feed the Firefighters Foundation has grown to include restaurants in both North Carolina and Georgia. It is Barry's hope that restaurants all around the country will join their efforts through FTF. "I realized the need and also saw an instant benefit to the restaurant's business. Each time we visit an accident scene we always generate new patrons to our restaurant. They come in and want to thank us for our efforts. It's really a win/win for both the firefighters and our business. I hope someday to have restaurants all across the country and world, join us in our efforts to assist these brave men and women," says Doyle.

Between all of its member restaurants, Feed the Firefighters Foundation serves over 3,000 free meals a year to rescue workers. By becoming a member station, restaurants are reimbursed for all food supplied in emergencies, and are also introduced to emergency responders to assist in establishing lines of communication between the restaurant and the service station. The recognition in People Magazine comes on the heels of Barry's Cafe being recently awarded with the "The Restaurant Neighbor Award" by the National Restaurant Association for their service to the community. For more information about Feed the Firefighters, including how to support its cause or become a restaurant member station, log onto www.feedthefirefighters.com.

About Barry's Café

Nearly 15 years ago, Barry's Café owner Barry Doyle was inspired by the tireless efforts of local firefighters, and when an ice storm hit the Raleigh area, Doyle and his crew arrived on the scene with hot coffee for the first responders managing the crisis. The firefighters quickly made the restaurant one of their favorite spots and Barry's Café found a new mission. In 1998, the restaurant created the "Feed the Firefighters Foundation" to support its work and has been supplying no-cost emergency food service to 75 fire stations in Wake County, last year serving nearly 1,800 meals through its 31-foot mobile unit. Now a well-established network in its local area, Barry's Café is expanding its organization to support restaurateurs with the same vision to assist in helping their local fire and rescue departments. For more information, including donation and membership information, please call (919) 851-4863 or visit www.feedthefirefighters.com.

###

Related Links

1. http://www.feedthefirefighters.com
2. http://www.barryscafe.com