Jim Wagy believes that as a business owner, it is important to give back to community members and let them know he wants to help.
The owner/operator of eight McDonalds restaurants in the local area, Wagy opened a food pantry for his employees in 2020 to ensure his 500 restaurant workers and their families would have help during the COVID-19 pandemic. He provided food and household items for them by transforming his training center in Gladstone into “McPantry.”
McPantry has been in operation for more than a year now and has served more than 2,500 families so far.
“People are charitable and many want to help,” Wagy said. “People have commented to me about my Playlands, that look more like grocery stores for the past year because they are packed out with many food items that I still distribute through McPantry, and many have contacted me about giving and have given to support McPantry.”
His latest humanitarian project was raising money for Autism Speaks, a charitable organization dedicated to promoting solutions across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
On April 2 his restaurants took part in a drive-thru fundraiser in honor of World Autism Awareness Day. The fundraiser resulted in $10,000 being donated to Autism Speaks.
With ongoing pandemic challenges, the fundraiser provided a safe way to eat out and help people with autism at the same time. Because of the pandemic, Autism Speaks was in great need of funds which are vital for providing services for sick children and their families in the area.
Wagy is familiar with the challenges that come with autism. “I have some friends that have been affected by autism, and have seen how brilliant these people are,” Wagy said. “They are talented and smart, but just have difficulty in speaking, so I wanted to help speak up for them.”
Finding ways to help people is a priority for Wagy, and he doesn’t let the hard work of owning and operating eight restaurants get in the way of raising money for charitable causes.
“Wherever there are hurting people, I want to help however I can,” Wagy said. “I’m involved with many different things anonymously. Food pantries, shelters and many other charities, etc. I wanted to bring some awareness to Autism Speaks and autism in general, and help in as many ways as I can.”
He plans to do more fundraisers for Autism Speaks and he also helps with the Ronald McDonald Houses.
“I’m amazed at how much we collect for the Ronald McDonald Houses here in KC with our collection canisters in our drive-thru’s and by even ‘rounding up’ customers’ orders to the next dollar when they pay in our drive-thru’s and kiosks inside,” Wagy said. “We have a whole community of people that help us give and support many fine causes just like Autism Speaks.”
The McDonalds restaurants that hosted the fundraiser for Autism Speaks are: Platte City, Smithville, Maryville, 6830 NW 83rd Terrace KCMO, 6300 N Oak Trafficway in Gladstone, 6305 NE Antioch Road in Gladstone, 150 NW Barry Road in KC and 9551 N McGee in KC.