Coopers Gives Back With Community Day

Coopers Cookin’ and Catering owner Denise Thompson (front row, second from left) with her staff during Community Give Back Day on Saturday, Sept. 30. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

Shaun Long readies himself for a perfect inflatable axe throw during Community Give Back Day on Saturday. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

A young girl chats with her dad before going down the slide at Community Give Back Day on Sept. 30. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

Attendees at Community Give Back Day enjoyed karaoke, giveaways and more. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

Town of Orange Police Chief Kiline Madison was on site to greet community members on Saturday. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

In the two years since Coopers Cookin’ and Catering opened its doors, the local restaurant has become a beloved staple in the Orange community. On Saturday, Sept. 30, Coopers thanked the supporters who have helped the business thrive through a Community Give Back Day at the Orange County Fairgrounds.

Owner Denise Thompson is no stranger to the concept of cooking and community going hand-in-hand. At her restaurant on Route 15 just north of the town of Orange, she whips up authentic southern dishes using recipes passed down through generations of women in her family, from award-winning fried chicken to cakes and pies made from scratch. According to Thompson, her family’s matriarchs didn’t just teach her to cook — they taught her the value of using one’s talents and resources to make the world a better place.

“It actually goes back to when my mom was living,” Thompson explained. “She was always a person that gave back, whether it was watching somebody’s kids, cooking for church, or just bringing the beggar off the street. And I remember days when I woke up that people were laying in our kitchen that I didn't even know.”

Now that Thompson has her own successful restaurant, she feels it is important to find ways to pay it forward.

“We want to thank our community for patronizing our business, whether it’s our brick-and-mortar or our catering,” she said. “And it's been an abundance of support from Orange County. Everybody was like, ‘Okay, what do you need?’”

And the response from the Orange County community was abundant indeed. In total, more than 40 local businesses and organizations pitched in, providing everything from raffle items to snacks and desserts. Those in attendance enjoyed a bouncy house, games, karaoke and music by Hit The Deck Entertainment while catching up with friends and neighbors. With the success of this year’s community day, Thompson anticipates that it will become an annual event, telling community members to “stay tuned.”

Coopers Cookin and Catering is located at 12399 James Madison Highway, Orange. To view the restaurant’s menu and business hours, visit www.cooperscookinandcatering.com.