The local Ezell’s restaurants, which long have used the slogan, “Eat Catfish and be Somebody,” are now inviting customers to fill their tummies with hushpuppies to help save and care for dogs and cats in the Columbus area.
Ezell’s, founded in 1950 but under new management for two years, said it will donate 2 cents for every hushpuppy eaten by its diners through February to PAWS Humane on Milgen Road in Columbus.
More: Paws CEO Bobbi Yeo has a heart for pets and their owners
“Ezell’s is honored to give back to the community through Paws Humane,” said owner Clark Ezell. “This community has embraced us and made us a local tradition and we want to embrace the community back.”
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The Ezell’s restaurants are located at 4001 Warm Springs Road in Columbus and at 3546 U.S. Hwy. 280 in Phenix City. They typically serve about 60,000 hushpuppies each month, but are hoping to exceed that with the PAWs fundraiser. At two pennies apiece, the 60,000 hushpuppies would equal a donation of $1,200.
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Ezell’s said the hushpuppy effort is valid on both dine-in and to-go orders. It also noted that those people eating at its restaurants receive “bottomless” amounts of hushpuppies and cole slaw while waiting for their meals.
PAWS Humane adoption manager Katie Morrell said the nonprofit organization — which does a heavy amount of spaying and neuturing of canines and felines locally, along with the adoptions — is “proud” to be a part of the dining fundraiser.
“This donation will help ensure affordable spay and neuter services, a homeless pet animal sanctuary, and humane education,” she said. “With this help from Ezell’s, we can continue bringing humans and animals together.”
The hours for Ezell’s are 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.
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