local voice Restaurant owner donates profits to Frost house Interview with Danielle Boyce, manager of American Flatbread

Author: Andrea Glaessner

The Middlebury Campus: What inspired you to do this particular Benefit Bake? Was there a particular person or group who asked you to help raise the money or was it an individual decision? If it was an individual decision, what was it that made you believe it was a cause worth fundraising for?

Danielle Boyce: George Schenk (owner of Flatbread) had come to me with this idea once he heard about the vandalism that occurred at the Homer Noble Farm. He felt that it was important to show our support during this time as a way of acknowledging our thanks to Middlebury College for being stewards for such a fine community landmark, and I agreed wholeheartedly.


MC: Do you have some kind of personal story or experience related to Robert Frost? Do you enjoy his poetry and legacy?

DB: I'm not sure about George, but Robert Frost has been my favorite poet since I was in the fifth grade. His poetry was always somewhat of an escape for me. One of my best friends bought me my first book of poetry in, I think, it was the seventh grade - Robert Frost! You can imagine how thrilled I was to discover that I moved to the area where he used to summer!


MC: How do you come up with most of the ideas for the Benefit Bakes?

DB: Each year we choose 6 or so causes. I meet different people through the Chamber of Commerce, and through working in the restaurant. I also receive requests on a rolling basis. We try to stick to education, community, food, and non-profit organizations. Each year we do "Organic Food for Public Schools" where 8 schools in the supervisory union are selected to receive a portion of the $8/flatbread donation.


MC: How was the turnout on Saturday night? Were any of the customers there on Saturday particularly for the fundraiser or were most just there to eat?

DB: The turnout was great! We sold 170 flatbreads to 292 people, and yes, many of the folks who joined us that night were here because they supported the cause.


MC: How much money was raised for the Frost summer home and who or which organization did it go to?

DB: We raised $680 - this is going towards the preservation efforts of Homer Noble Farm which the College is stewarding.


MC: Did any of the specials that night correspond with the theme for the Benefit Bake?

DB: I wouldn't say so.


MC: Any future benefit bakes we should look out for?

DB:
March 15 - John Graham Emergency Shelter
April 12 - WomenSafe
Sept. 13 - Middlebury Farmers' Market