Taco John’s offering free meals to communities across Iowa until Nov. 2

Taco John’s in Newton is offering free meals to people in need.

In a statement released online Oct. 29, it was announced the fast food chain would give a free beef or bean burrito and an order of Potato Olés for anybody who asked for the “Community Support Special.” Several locations across the state are offering the special in response to the government shutdown.

“Much like all of you, we have seen some unusual times right now,” the statement said, which had more than 1,000 shares on the Newton site’s Facebook page. “With SNAP benefits being cut and people not being paid to work, we have a lot of people that could use some help. So, we’re going to do what we can.”

To help even further, the Taco John’s Foundation announced it will donate to local food banks for every Taco Bravo (a crunchy corn taco wrapped in a flour tortilla and filled with refried beans) sold on Nov. 6. No documentation is required for the Community Support Special, which runs until Nov. 2.

“Our number one job is to feed our community,” the company said. “We are going to make sure that everybody can have a hot meal no matter what.”

Maggie Nickle, senior assistant manager of Taco John’s in Newton, said all people have to do is come inside the restaurant on 2106 First Ave. E. and ask for the special. Nickle said the initiative should be followed by all Taco John’s locations in the state. Already, she is seeing stacks of receipts with the special.

“Taco John’s really tries to be involved in the community,” Nickle said. “They really do care about the customers. They’re doing it because they know a lot of people are struggling right now … We make all this money as a company. If there is something they can do to give back, they want to do it.”