Community Spotlight: John and Mallory Malee

The Fedora 5th Annual FREE Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Paying it forward runs in the family at The Fedora Restaurant in Coeur d’Alene. For restaurant owners John and Mallory Malee, this year marks the fifth year they proudly host the Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Joined by many local organizations and volunteers, they provide a hot turkey dinner with all the trimmings for more than 1,700 people on Thanksgiving Day.

The Malees have two children, a 12 year-old and a 9 month-old, and feel it is important to show them how to be thankful for what they have. “We often look at what our neighbors have or what others have achieved and envy them, says Malee. “However, what we found was that many of our neighbors were living paycheck to paycheck and what we perceived was not always the case. With the birth of our son, we realized that we need to be thankful for what we have, and surround ourselves with those that believe in the same values we do. Stepping in to serve our community is the right thing to do.”

John Malee started in the restaurant business as a dishwasher. His experience spans more than 25 years in the hospitality industry as the previous General Manager of the Cedars Floating Restaurant and Hot Rod Café, Assistant Manager of Tito’s and several years as Banquet manager for Hagadone Hospitalities.

The Malees were fortunate to own a restaurant in the bottom of the economy. Mallory Malee encouraged her husband to begin fulfilling their promise to give back to the community right away. With less than 6 months invested into the restaurant, they began “paying it forward” at their first Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner where they served 600 individuals. The event has grown each year with the support of the entire community, and they expect to exceed serving 2,000 meals this year.

“The first year was an overwhelming experience,” shared Malee. “Then with the help of the United Way and their Volunteer North Idaho Hub, the organizing of volunteers and logistics became easier. Along with other sponsoring organizations, we became united and organized.”

The cost of this event equates to approximately $3.50 per person. This can only be achieved through the generous donations of sponsors and volunteer resources from organizations such as United Way of Kootenai County, Kiwanis, Rotary Club of Coeur d’Alene evening, and ElderHelp of North Idaho. Participants in supporting the meal supplies include Food Service of America, Baker Boys, Pepsi, Cravens Coffee, and Blue Ribbon Linen Supply. Marketing materials are supplied by Centennial Distributing and Digital Lizard. This does not include any staff time. The event is run entirely by volunteers from the 80-100 hours of planning that Malee does to the 80 hours donated from the restaurant’s Executive Chef Brad Case to the more than 200 hours of community volunteer time. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, the state of Idaho values volunteer time at $19.92 per hour. The total amount of labor contributed to this event, if paid, would equal close to $8,000.

For Executive Chef Brad Case, the event is his way of being thankful. Father to a Marine and two daughters, he feels blessed that his son came home. “My two girls have learned what it means to be good citizens,” shares Case. “Cooking is what I know and I look forward to working with my family in the kitchen on Thanksgiving when we all volunteer together.” Case, also in the industry for more than 30 years, started washing dishes at 15 years old and his first chef job was the day after he turned 21. He was the first hire for The Fedora on July 5 five years ago and they opened 6 weeks later. “It just keeps getting better and better,” claims Case.

Case takes pride in preplanning and organizing the food; everything is fresh and made from scratch. It is important that every plate is turned out into the restaurant hot and in a beautiful display, appropriate for the traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Case emphasized the amazing volunteers that come to help, many of them year after year. One family in particular has been here from the beginning. Mike Mather, Division Chief for Northern Lakes Fire department and his family have a real passion to feed the hungry. “Once my kids were grown and off to college, my wife and I decided we wanted to do something for the community. My wife suggested we ‘go down and serve at Fedora’s.’ It was a natural fit because we had some background in restaurants. I love working in the kitchen and absolutely love to cook. I fell in love with the process. When the girls came back from college, we expanded our tradition to the entire family.”

“I appreciate what Fedora’s is doing,” Mather continues. I have seen people that are struggling; seniors, families and students moving across country and stopped in for a meal. We take care of everyone and it’s fantastic. This is the perfect venue to bring people together.”

“I look forward to seeing Mike in the kitchen,” says Case. “I shake his hand at 11 a.m. and then he takes over. He trains our kitchen volunteers, teaches the servers and runs the line.”

“Our community pushes volunteerism and this makes us unique,” boasts Malee. “We care about our neighbors and we are there for people when they are in need. Any business can benefit from the positive energy that comes from employees volunteering. Our employees volunteer both before and during the event.”

The event is currently trying to raise $6,000 to support the families and individuals that will be fed on Thanksgiving Day. Donations can be made to ElderHelp of North Idaho or www.gofundme.com/fedoras-freedinner.

This year’s event will be held on Thursday, Nov. 26 at The Fedora Restaurant located at 1726 W. Kathleen in Coeur d’Alene. For more information, call John at The Fedora 208-765-8888 or email holiday.fedora@hotmail.com.

For more information on how to register for this volunteer opportunity, visit www.kootenaiunitedway.org, click on the “VOLUNTEER” link to view this listing and other volunteer opportunities in YOUR community, or contact Jeanette Laster at United Way of Kootenai County, (208) 667-8112 Ext. 108.