Easley's Blueberryfrog Holding Food Drive

Local business owner Roman Matonis feels blessed for the opportunity God has given him and wants to give back to others.

Blueberryfrog, Matonis' business, will celebrate its first birthday on March 9. Blueberryfrog is located at Easley Town Center.

“I can't believe a whole year has gone by,” Matonis said. “I am thankful to God for the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people here in Easley, and the surrounding areas.”

The birthday bash on March 9, from noon to 10 p.m., will feature games and giveaways.

Matonis would like to celebrate the store's success by helping those in need.

On March 9, Blueberryfrog will be collecting food items for the Cornerstone Church food pantry, located on Wade Hampton Boulevard. 

“They tirelessly serve the community every Thursday evening,” Matonis said. “Their shelves get emptied regularly.”

He hopes the community with come through with 5,000 donated food items.

Roman and Petrina Matonis will match every donation, he says.

“With a match of another 5,000, that will feed many families,” he said.

“There are still a lot of people that are homeless, hungry, unemployed and very much in need. Let’s all join together and give to them. This is America! No one should be hungry!”

Suggested donations include tuna, soup, canned chicken, canned veggies, canned fruit, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal, rice, instant potatoes, crackers and oatmeal.

Matonis wants to help the food pantry again this summer and Blueberry Frog is offering a sweet deal to do so.

Between June 1 and June 30, if you bring in the same number of items as you did on March 9, you'll receive 10 percent off your yogurt purchase.

"You will receive a coupon to come back in June and donate again and get a discount on your next yogurt purchase," Petrina Matonis said.

Matonis knows firsthand what it's like to look for a job in vain.

He worked for nearly 30 years for a Massachusetts company, only to find himself without a job when the company was sold.

He sought work for nearly four years.

“Since I was approaching the age of 60 no one would hire me,” Matonis said. “I am thankful to God for the opportunity I found in Blueberrry Frog. It was really a God thing how we came to move and settle here in South Carolina.”