BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — As a result of "Make a Difference Monday," a program established by Salty's BBQ and Catering, 170 Kern County families impacted by COVID-19 received free meals.

“When we saw the writing on the wall, we were able to adjust our operations and keep our business open during the COVID-19 shutdown,” said Jeff Salters, owner of Salty’s BBQ and Catering. “Sadly, I saw and heard of too many others in our community who weren’t as lucky and whose lives had been turned upside down because of the shutdown. I had to do something to pay it forward.”

Salty's took to social media to find families who needed help with a plan to randomly select two people to provide food for. The result was over 350 nominations.

“After the first week, we received a message on Facebook from one of the recipient’s mom, sharing that our simple act of kindness had completely changed her son’s outlook,” Salters said. “I knew we were on to something.”

The program ran from March 30 through June 8 and fed 170 families.

“This community loves its restaurants, and Make a Difference Monday was a way for us restaurants to show how much we love our community back,” said Salters. “When we each do our small part, we can end up making a world of difference.”