WEST WARREN – Dippin’ Donuts in West Warren has started a first responder fund, where residents who wish to give back to first responders, plow drivers and more can donate money specifically for the fund. When the first responder comes to the storefront for coffee or a snack, the fund will then pay for their order.

Dippin’ Donuts has been in business for 20 years, with additional locations in Spencer and Leicester. While they offer coffee and donuts, they also have a variety of muffins, sandwiches and hot teas. The business features coffee rolls, blueberry cinnamon scones, cheese Danishes, cookies, eclairs and fruit coolattas year-round and smoothies offered in the summer. Owners Gjergji and Kreuza Disho brought Dippin’ Donuts 12 years ago and said they are “very grateful” for the employees that they have. “Running a business is not only on our shoulders, it takes the whole team to run a business and make it successful,” Kreuza added.

Manager Shannon Tascale of the Dippin’ Donuts in West Warren said, “It was just something that happened. One day somebody came in and wanted to leave money for first responders. It just played out from there. It wasn’t even a decision that we talked about. It just happened because somebody was willing to leave money for first responders.”

Tascale told Reminder Publishing this occurs a couple times a year where people will leave money for first responders. During COVID-19, Kreuza gave $20 gift cards for all the first responders in town as a thank you and a show of appreciation. “Since we’ve been open, they’ve been coming in,” Tascale replied. “All the first responders; all the firefighters. They all come in and get their coffee and donuts. We pretty much know all their orders. They don’t even have to tell us what they want anymore.”

The use of the fund depends on how much customers leave. Tascale recalled a few weeks ago a woman came to Dippin’ Donuts and left $40 for first responders. Anyone of those professions who came in after her donation would have their order paid for until the money ran out. When the town had a major water main brake last year during a week of rain, Tascale said their parking lot flooded and first responders were at the shop for hours. She said after closing she made all of the first responders free coffee for their hard work and for saving their business.

“It’s just something that happens periodically as a thank you for us to them,” responded Tascale. “It’s definitely something we will continue to do once in a while.”

The Dippin’ Donuts in West Warren is located at 2730 Main St. Their business hours are Monday through Sunday from 5 a.m.- 7 p.m.