Restaurant customers rally to prevent Benton City diner from closing

A community has rallied around Mama’s Diner in Benton City to keep it from closing.

While the restaurant has remained open for takeout during the COVID pandemic, it’s been increasingly difficult for owner Lori Dale.

“I am doing everything I can to stay open,” she wrote in a post on the diner’s Facebook page.

So one of her customers, Danielle Clegg, organized a GoFundMe fundraiser on June 4 that’s collected $6,000 so far.

“With all the restrictions still in place, she has felt the struggle, and fears she will have to close the doors that she has fought so hard to keep OPEN!!” Clegg wrote. “As a friend, a patron and business neighbor, I DO NOT WANT TO SEE THIS HAPPEN!”

Ida Boyd, who founded Friendship Kitchen along with her daughter Nicole Carlson, told the Herald that Dale has been highly involved in the community.

Friendship Kitchen is a volunteer group that provides food for those in need along with helping with other needs, such as clothing and transportation.

“When we starting talking about the need in the community — Lori was right there with us,” said Boyd, whose daughter also was a cook at Mama’s Diner.

When the pandemic limited the restaurant’s sit-down service, Dale stepped in and opened her doors to help prepare and distribute meals for children on the weekends. She also helped buy juice boxes and snacks.

“She’s not going to turn away anyone. If you come to her and say you only have $3 but haven’t eaten all day, she is going to still make you a full meal and tell you to keep the $3,” Boyd said. “She’s a good woman.”

She also gives away Thanksgiving meals, Christmas meals and Boyd said she along with her church have helped contribute Easter baskets and more for Benton City kids.

“I have been trying to find the words that would be good enough to express my gratitude and love for you all who have supported Mama’s Diner,” Dale wrote on Facebook.

Find the GoFundMe page at bit.ly/3hf6esz

This story was originally published June 12, 2020 at 3:09 PM.