Local Grind rallies community around family in need

In the span of one morning, a father of five children was left with nothing.

A house fire early on Nov. 14 gutted the Franklin home of the Hildebrand family. Nearly all of their possessions were destroyed by fire and smoke. Now they are homeless for the holiday season.

The community has stepped up to provide essentials such as clothing, blankets and toys, while the Hildebrands are living in a local hotel. But one local business owner hopes to do more.

Emily Worley, owner of The Local Grind, has helped spearhead a number of fundraisers to help the Hildebrands. She has donated a portion of her sales to the family, collected donations and tips at her Franklin store and amplified ways to support them on social media.

With the backing of the Custer Baker Intermediate School PTO, the Local Grind will host a fundraiser, Gravy With Grandparents, on Sunday. Proceeds from the biscuits-and-gravy breakfast will all go to the Hildebrands.

“Bad things happen to good people. It’s our job to step in,” Worley said. “We have an obligation as a community to help any and all.”

Helping those in need isn’t something new for Worley and The Local Grind. Scrolling through her social media pages people can see post after post of fundraisers and other ways to support local families in crisis.

Worley doesn’t think it’s anything extraordinary; rather, everyone should be willing to step up to help their neighbors, she said.

After the Nov. 14 fire, Worley heard about the Hildebrands’ plight on social media.

The family has found support from the Custer Baker and Needham Elementary School communities, where the children attend. People at the schools raised money and donated clothing immediately after the fire to meet their basic needs.

Worley had never met them, but felt compelled to do something.

“I jumped on and posted that if anyone knew how to get in touch with this family, have them message me — I want to absolutely help,” she said.

Over the weekend of Nov. 26 and 27, a portion of sales made at The Local Grind were donated to the Hildebrands, helping them with the costs of the hotel where they are currently living. They are paying $580 each week, which makes it difficult to meet other needs such as meals, Worley said.

They are struggling to find a rental house due to their lack of rental history, as well as they fact they have a dog, Worley said.

“He’s been trying so hard to find a rental property, but he hadn’t been able to get one yet,” she said.

A dine-to-donate roasted chicken dinner on Friday, as well as the biscuits and gravy breakfast will ideally raise more money to support them, Worley said. She’s planning a gift tree in the coffee shop, where people can find items to purchase to give to the family on Christmas.

Donations can also be made for the family at The Local Grind, Worley said.

“I trying to organize to be able to collect presents and drop them off a full Christmas dinner, if anyone wants to jump on that too,” she said. “Mostly, what they need is financial help.”


HOW TO HELP

Gravy with Grandparents

What: A biscuits and gravy breakfast fundraiser to help the Hildebrand family of Franklin, who lost their home and possessions in a fire.

When: 7 a.m.-11 a.m. Sunday

Where: The Local Grind, 25 N. Main St., Franklin

Options: Choice of small or large order of biscuits and gravy; all orders come with a 12-ounce drink of your choice.

Prices: $9 small order, $12 large order. The Local Grind is also accepting monetary donations to help the family.