It is not only individuals who have been harmed by the effects of COVID-19. Restaurant owners who survived the long year are trying to get back on their feet. How to help both is the mission of TakeOutHunger.org. Roger Wood in his latest podcast finds out how they meet this challenge. We meet organizer Andra Welch, Deb Anthony of Gather, the group’s fiscal agent, and Brett Winterstein, owner of Dos Mexican Eats in Dover.
Deb Anthony, Executive Director of Gather, is a seasoned professional with 30+ years leading nonprofits in Maine, New Hampshire and California. She is a compelling speaker and savvy media spokesperson with strong interpersonal skills. Financial and fiscal management expertise combined with being a strategic thinker, business planner and implementer have been hallmarks of her work. As a creative, proactive, and passionate leader she is respected for her ability to create a vision, energize groups and individuals, team with municipal leaders, economic development organizations and other nonprofits, and drive successful programs for her organizations. She has led Gather from a $300,000 food pantry to over a million dollar anti-hunger nonprofit serving the Greater Seacoast of NH.
Brett Wintersten
I grew up in Rhode Island and came to New Hampshire to attend school at the University of New Hampshire. I graduated as an English major with a focus in journalism in 2005.
My first real restaurant gig was at Margaritas in Portsmouth as a dishwasher and cook. I worked my way through college and after graduating decided to stay in the area because I really fell in love with the Seacoast.
I started with Dos Amigos Burritos about 10 years ago as head chef and have been with the company ever since. About two years ago we shuttered our Dover location on Central Avenue. Me and two other employees of the Dover store went to the owner Joel Harris and presented him with the idea of opening a new location in the One Washington Mills in Dover.
And that is how Dos Mexican Eats came to be born. Stephen Ordway, Mitch Purrington, and myself went from employees and stepped into ownership roles in this new restaurant.
Andra Welch
Arrived from Long Island, NY to attend college at Keene State, 1977. Never left!
Moved to the seacoast in 1983. Have lived in Dover since, raised a daughter here and now have three grandchildren in Portsmouth. Spent 20 + years as a child advocate in the courts, and have always volunteered in some way. For the past 25 years, I’ve coordinated a monthly meal in cooperation with Dover Friendly Kitchen, which provides twice weekly dinners to Dover’s community. I enjoy my garden, crafting, community activities and helping out.
Roger Wood bio
Roger Wood is an award winning radio, newspaper and television journalist, with over 40 years of experience in the media. Roger has spent his entire professional career in New Hampshire. Roger currently serves as associate publisher at InDepthNH.org. He has produced news and special feature reports for InDepthNH, New Hampshire Public Radio, NPR, and other Public and commercial radio stations. He also produced spot news for CBS Radio.